Frost Dates for Mansfield, MA 02048
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 6 · 158 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 02048 has about 23,900 people.
Moderate season: 158 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 16 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 20 (29 days).
Frost probability for 02048
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | May 1 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 6 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BROCKTON (17.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 158-day season in Mansfield
In Mansfield (158 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 10. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 221 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 6. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 3. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 3. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 263 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 214 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 24. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 3. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 8. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 158 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 158 available after May 8. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 137 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 8. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 8. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Mansfield
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| 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 Mansfield, MA (ZIP 02048)?
The median last spring frost date for Mansfield, MA (ZIP code 02048) is around May 1. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Mansfield, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Mansfield, MA is around October 6. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mansfield, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Mansfield is about 158 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 Mansfield (158 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Mansfield, MA?
Mansfield, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Mansfield, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Mansfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mansfield?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Mansfield?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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