Frost Dates for Northampton, MA 01060
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost September 28 · 142 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01060 has about 16,500 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Northampton.
Moderate season: 142 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 20 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 9 (20 days).
Frost probability for 01060
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 20 | May 9 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | September 28 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TULLY LAKE (48.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Northampton, MA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01060 | May 9 | September 28 | 6a |
| 01063 | May 9 | September 28 | 5b (est.) |
Which crops fit a 142-day season in Northampton
In Northampton (142 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 4 | May 23–May 30 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23. | May 29 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23. | Jun 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 27 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23. | Jul 2 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jul 9 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 205 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 14. | Jul 18 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23. | Jul 7 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Jul 27 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 28 | 247 | overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer. | Oct 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 198 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 2. | Jul 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Jun 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 100 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23. | Jun 8 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jul 7 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 107 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 107 available after May 30. | Jul 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16. | Jul 13 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 142 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16. | May 24 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23. | May 24 |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jul 2 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 12 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23. | May 24 |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 121 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23. | May 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 107 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 16. | Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 107 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after May 16. | May 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23. | Jul 7 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jul 2 |
Month by month in Northampton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), Sage (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 14), Beets (Mar 14), Dill (Mar 14), Peas (Mar 14), Radish (Mar 14), Spinach (Mar 14), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 4), Tomato (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Corn (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 11), Nasturtiums (Apr 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 11), Turnip (Apr 11), Carrots (Apr 18), Potatoes (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 11), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 11), Cabbage (Apr 11), Collards (Apr 11), Kale (Apr 11), Lettuce (Apr 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 4). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 9), Beans (May 16), Pole Beans (May 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Cosmos (May 9), Lavender (May 9), Marigolds (May 9), Mint (May 9), +25 more. Last frost around May 9. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 24), Celery (May 24), Melons (May 24), Spaghetti Squash (May 26), Tomato (May 29), Watermelon (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 3), Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19). |
| 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 Northampton, MA (ZIP 01060)?
The median last spring frost date for Northampton, MA (ZIP code 01060) is around May 9. 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 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Northampton, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Northampton, MA is around September 28. 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 Northampton, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Northampton is about 142 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 Northampton (142 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 Northampton, MA?
Northampton, 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 Northampton, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Northampton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Northampton?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.
When do I plant garlic in Northampton?
Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
South Hadley (ZIP 01075) has 154 frost-free days, 12 more than Northampton (ZIP 01060). See South Hadley ZIP 01075 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for South Hadley, MA 01075 (5.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Easthampton, MA 01027 (6 mi)
- Frost dates for Holyoke, MA 01040 (7.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Amherst, MA 01002 (9.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Chicopee, MA 01020 (10.6 mi)
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