Frost Dates for Leominster, MA 01453
Last spring frost May 14 · First fall frost September 30 · 139 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01453 has about 43,900 people.
Moderate season: 139 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 31 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 11 (22 days).
Frost probability for 01453
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 31 | May 14 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | September 30 | October 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILFORD (36.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 139-day season in Leominster
In Leominster (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | May 31 |
| Pepper | Apr 2 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 23. | Jul 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 4 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 28. | Jul 4 |
| Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 21. | Jul 11 |
| Peas | — | Mar 19–May 28 | 202 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 19. | Jul 20 |
| Zucchini | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 28. | Jul 9 |
| Onion | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 19–May 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16. | Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 16. | Jul 29 |
| Radish | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 30–May 7 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 30 | 244 | overwinter: Plant Sep 30 to Oct 21; harvest the following summer. | Oct 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 9–Jun 4 | 195 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | Jun 12 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 30 | May 28–May 28 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 | May 7–May 21 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 7. | Jul 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 19 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 16. | Jun 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 26 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | Jun 10 |
| Okra | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jul 9 |
| Basil | Apr 9 | Jun 4–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 4. | Jul 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 16–May 7 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 21. | Jul 15 |
| Celery | Mar 5 | May 21–Jun 4 | 139 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 139 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Scallions | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Collards | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | — |
| Chives | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Oregano | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 21. | — |
| Sage | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 21. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 21. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Cosmos | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 14. | Jul 4 |
| Lavender | Feb 19 | May 14–May 28 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 2 | May 14–May 21 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 14 |
| Melons | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | — |
| Mint | — | May 14–May 28 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 118 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jun 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 14–May 28 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 14. | Jun 24 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | Jun 5 |
| Watermelon | Apr 30 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | May 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 28. | Jul 9 |
| Zinnias | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 14. | Jul 4 |
Month by month in Leominster
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 19), Lavender (Feb 19), Onion (Feb 19), Rosemary (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), Scallions (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 19), Beets (Mar 19), Dill (Mar 19), Peas (Mar 19), Radish (Mar 19), Spinach (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), Basil (Apr 9), Tomato (Apr 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 2), Cilantro (Apr 16), Turnip (Apr 16), Carrots (Apr 23), Potatoes (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 16), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 16), Cabbage (Apr 16), Collards (Apr 16), Kale (Apr 16), Lettuce (Apr 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 9). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 14), Beans (May 21), Pole Beans (May 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 7), Cauliflower (May 7), Cosmos (May 14), Lavender (May 14), Marigolds (May 14), Mint (May 14), +24 more. Last frost around May 14. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 26), Tomato (May 31), Watermelon (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 4). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 10), Corn (Jun 12), Sunflowers (Jun 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 29), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 4), Cosmos (Jul 4), Cucumber (Jul 4), Zinnias (Jul 4), Broccoli (Jul 5), Nasturtiums (Jul 9), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 4), Cilantro (Aug 4), Collards (Aug 8), Scallions (Aug 8), Bok Choy (Aug 9), Lettuce (Aug 9), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 30). First frost around September 30. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 21). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Leominster, MA (ZIP 01453)?
The median last spring frost date for Leominster, MA (ZIP code 01453) is around May 14. 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 26; one in ten it runs past May 31.
What is the first fall frost date in Leominster, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Leominster, MA is around September 30. 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Leominster, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Leominster is about 139 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 Leominster (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Leominster, MA?
Leominster, 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 Leominster, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 9 and plant out May 28 in Leominster. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Leominster?
Two: plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7.
When do I plant garlic in Leominster?
Sep 30 to Oct 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lancaster (ZIP 01523) has 164 frost-free days, 25 more than Leominster (ZIP 01453). See Lancaster ZIP 01523 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Lancaster, MA 01523 (5.1 mi)
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