Frost Dates for Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 3 · 150 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 01545 has about 38,900 people.
Moderate season: 150 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 24–May 18 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 14 (22 days).
Frost probability for 01545
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 6 | April 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 3 | October 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BUFFUMVILLE LAKE (24.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 150-day season in Shrewsbury
In Shrewsbury (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 3 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 8 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 15. | Aug 1 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | Jul 7 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 213 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 11. | Jul 23 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | Jul 12 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 8. | Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 8. | Aug 1 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 10. | Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 3 | 255 | overwinter: Plant Oct 3 to Oct 24; harvest the following summer. | Oct 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 206 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13. | Jun 15 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | May 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 29. | Jul 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 8. | Jul 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | May 21 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 13 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 27. | Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 13. | Jul 18 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 150 available after May 13. | May 29 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | May 29 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 7 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 17 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | May 29 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 129 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 129 available after May 13. | Jul 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | May 31 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 6. | Jun 27 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 13. | Jun 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | Jul 12 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 7 |
Month by month in Shrewsbury
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 21), Pumpkin (May 21), Cantaloupe (May 29), Celery (May 29), Melons (May 29), Spaghetti Squash (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 3), Watermelon (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 8), Tomatillos (Jun 8), Eggplant (Jun 13), Corn (Jun 15), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2), Basil (Jul 7), Cosmos (Jul 7), Cucumber (Jul 7), Zinnias (Jul 7), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 1), Carrots (Aug 1), Beets (Aug 2), Dill (Aug 2), Swiss Chard (Aug 2), Calendula (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Radish (Sep 1). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 3). First frost around October 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 24). |
| 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 Shrewsbury, MA (ZIP 01545)?
The median last spring frost date for Shrewsbury, MA (ZIP code 01545) is around May 6. 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 24; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Shrewsbury, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Shrewsbury, MA is around October 3. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Shrewsbury, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Shrewsbury is about 150 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 Shrewsbury (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Shrewsbury, MA?
Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Shrewsbury. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Shrewsbury?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.
When do I plant garlic in Shrewsbury?
Oct 3 to Oct 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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