Frost Dates for Middleboro, MA 02346
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 15 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 02346 has about 24,500 people.
Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 19 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 30 (29 days).
Frost probability for 02346
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 19 | May 4 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 15 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PLYMOUTH-KINGSTON (18.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 164-day season in Middleboro
In Middleboro (164 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 30 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 13. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 227 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 9. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 6. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 6. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 269 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 220 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 27. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 6. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 25. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 11. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 164 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 11. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 143 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 11. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 4. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Middleboro
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. |
| 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 Middleboro, MA (ZIP 02346)?
The median last spring frost date for Middleboro, MA (ZIP code 02346) is around May 4. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Middleboro, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Middleboro, 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 Middleboro, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Middleboro is about 164 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 Middleboro (164 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 Middleboro, MA?
Middleboro, 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 Middleboro, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Middleboro. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Middleboro?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Middleboro?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Carver (ZIP 02330) has 175 frost-free days, 11 more than Middleboro (ZIP 02346). See Carver ZIP 02330 frost dates
Nearby and related
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