Frost Dates for Holyoke, MA 01040
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 9 · 162 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01040 has about 37,800 people.
Moderate season: 162 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 18 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 22 (26 days).
Frost probability for 01040
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | April 30 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 9 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BURLINGTON (52.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 162-day season in Holyoke
In Holyoke (162 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 26 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 225 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 5. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 2. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 267 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 218 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 23. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 21. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after May 7. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 162 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 162 available after May 7. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 141 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 141 available after May 7. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 30. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Holyoke
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Holyoke, MA (ZIP 01040)?
The median last spring frost date for Holyoke, MA (ZIP code 01040) is around April 30. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Holyoke, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Holyoke, MA is around October 9. 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 September 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Holyoke, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Holyoke is about 162 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 Holyoke (162 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Holyoke, MA?
Holyoke, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Holyoke, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Holyoke. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Holyoke?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Holyoke?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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