Frost Dates for South Boston, MA 02127
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 19 · 180 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 02127 has about 36,800 people.
Long season: 180 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 1 (18 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 5 (33 days).
Frost probability for 02127
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 1 | April 22 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 19 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BLUE HILL COOP (14.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 180-day season in South Boston
In South Boston (180 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 18 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 1. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 243 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 243 available after Feb 25. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 25. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 25. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 285 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 236 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 6. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 15. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 25. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 6. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 180 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 159 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 29. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 29. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in South Boston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 28), Lavender (Jan 28), Onion (Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Oregano (Feb 11), Parsley (Feb 11), Scallions (Feb 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 25), Beets (Feb 25), Dill (Feb 25), Peas (Feb 25), Radish (Feb 25), Spinach (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 4), Calendula (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Pepper (Mar 11), Basil (Mar 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 11), Cilantro (Mar 25), Turnip (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 25), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 25), Cabbage (Mar 25), Collards (Mar 25), Kale (Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 1), Butternut Squash (Apr 8), Cantaloupe (Apr 8), Melons (Apr 8), Pumpkin (Apr 8), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 1), Potatoes (Apr 8), Sunflowers (Apr 22), Beans (Apr 29), Pole Beans (Apr 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 8), Swiss Chard (Apr 8), Bok Choy (Apr 15), Cauliflower (Apr 15), Cosmos (Apr 22), Lavender (Apr 22), +15 more. Last frost around April 22. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Cucumber (May 6), Eggplant (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pepper (May 6), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Pumpkin (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 14), Celery (Jun 14), Melons (Jun 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 16), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 1), Sunflowers (Jul 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 18), Pole Beans (Jul 18), Basil (Jul 23), Cosmos (Jul 23), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 2), Parsley (Aug 3), Peas (Aug 8), Cabbage (Aug 17), Carrots (Aug 17), Beets (Aug 18), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 1), Kohlrabi (Sep 1), Turnip (Sep 6), Arugula (Sep 16), Spinach (Sep 16), Radish (Sep 17). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 19). First frost around October 19. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 9). |
| 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 South Boston, MA (ZIP 02127)?
The median last spring frost date for South Boston, MA (ZIP code 02127) is around April 22. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 1.
What is the first fall frost date in South Boston, MA?
The median first fall frost date for South Boston, MA is around October 19. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in South Boston, MA?
The frost-free growing season in South Boston is about 180 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 South Boston (180 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is South Boston, MA?
South Boston, 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 South Boston, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 18 and plant out May 6 in South Boston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in South Boston?
Two: plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in South Boston?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in South Boston?
Yes: plant out May 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 19 for a fall crop.
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