Frost Dates for Norwell, MA 02061
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 15 · 167 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 02061 has about 11,400 people.
Moderate season: 167 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 16 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–October 28 (26 days).
Frost probability for 02061
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | May 1 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 15 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BROCKTON (20.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 167-day season in Norwell
In Norwell (167 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 27 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 10. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 230 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 6. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 3. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 272 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 223 | 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 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 8. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 24. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 3. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 22. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 167 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 146 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 146 available after May 8. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 1. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Norwell
| 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. |
| 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 Norwell, MA (ZIP 02061)?
The median last spring frost date for Norwell, MA (ZIP code 02061) 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 16; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Norwell, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Norwell, 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Norwell, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Norwell is about 167 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 Norwell (167 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 Norwell, MA?
Norwell, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Norwell, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Norwell. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Norwell?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Norwell?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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