Frost Dates for Fall River, MA 02720
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 15 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 02720 has about 30,900 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Fall River.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 9–May 7 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 30 (29 days).
Frost probability for 02720
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 23 | April 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 15 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROCHESTER (17.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Fall River, MA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02720 | April 23 | October 15 | 7a |
| 02721 | April 23 | October 15 | 7a |
| 02724 | April 20 | October 22 | 7a |
| 02723 | April 23 | October 15 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Fall River
In Fall River (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 19 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 2. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Feb 26. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 26. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 26. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 30. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 16. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 26. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 30. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 30. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 30. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 23. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 30. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 30. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Fall River
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fall River, MA (ZIP 02720)?
The median last spring frost date for Fall River, MA (ZIP code 02720) is around April 23. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 9; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Fall River, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Fall River, MA is around October 15. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fall River, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Fall River is about 175 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Fall River (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fall River, MA?
Fall River, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Fall River, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Fall River. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fall River?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Fall River?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Swansea (ZIP 02777) has 185 frost-free days, 10 more than Fall River (ZIP 02720). See Swansea ZIP 02777 frost dates
Nearby and related
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