Frost Dates for Natick, MA 01760
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 7 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 01760 has about 36,800 people.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 12 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 19 (24 days).
Frost probability for 01760
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | May 1 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 7 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEDFORD (22.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Natick
In Natick (159 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 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 10. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 15. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 6. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 3. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 3. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 215 | 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 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 8. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 15. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 24. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 3. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 15. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 22. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 8. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 8. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 8. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 15. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 8. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 8. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Natick
| 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 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 Natick, MA (ZIP 01760)?
The median last spring frost date for Natick, MA (ZIP code 01760) 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Natick, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Natick, MA is around October 7. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Natick, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Natick is about 159 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 Natick (159 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 Natick, MA?
Natick, 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 Natick, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Natick. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Natick?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Natick?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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