Frost Dates for Winchendon, MA 01475
Last spring frost May 22 · First fall frost September 17 · 118 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 01475 has about 10,300 people.
Short season: 118 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 4–June 8 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 3–October 2 (29 days).
Frost probability for 01475
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 8 | May 22 | May 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 3 | September 17 | October 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BARRE FALLS DAM (26.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 118-day season in Winchendon
In Winchendon (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 76 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Carrots | — | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 16 |
| Cucumber | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 21 |
| Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 28 |
| Peas | — | Mar 27–Jun 5 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Mar 27. | Jul 7 |
| Zucchini | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 26 |
| Onion | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 27–May 15 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Kale | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 24. | Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24. | Jul 16 |
| Radish | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Sep 24. | Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | May 8–May 15 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 17 | 223 | overwinter: Plant Sep 17 to Oct 8; harvest the following summer. | Oct 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 17–Jun 12 | 174 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | May 30 |
| Pumpkin | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10 | May 15–May 29 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15. | Jun 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 27 | May 8–May 8 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24. | Jun 16 |
| Butternut Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 76 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Okra | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after May 29. | Jun 26 |
| Basil | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 12. | Jun 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 24–May 15 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Parsley | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 29. | Jul 2 |
| Celery | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 12 | 118 | head-start: Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Collards | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cantaloupe | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Oregano | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 29. | — |
| Sage | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 29. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 29. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Cosmos | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 21 |
| Lavender | Feb 27 | May 22–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 10 | May 22–May 29 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jul 1 |
| Melons | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 97 available after May 29. | Jun 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 11 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after May 29. | — |
| Watermelon | May 8 | May 29–Jun 5 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after May 29. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 26 |
| Zinnias | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 21 |
Month by month in Winchendon
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), Onion (Feb 27), Rosemary (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Oregano (Mar 13), Parsley (Mar 13), Scallions (Mar 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 27), Beets (Mar 27), Dill (Mar 27), Peas (Mar 27), Radish (Mar 27), Spinach (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 3), Calendula (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Pepper (Apr 10), Basil (Apr 17), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 10), Cilantro (Apr 24), Turnip (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 24), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 24), Cabbage (Apr 24), Collards (Apr 24), Kale (Apr 24), Lettuce (Apr 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 17). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 1), Butternut Squash (May 8), Cantaloupe (May 8), Melons (May 8), Pumpkin (May 8), Spaghetti Squash (May 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 1), Potatoes (May 8), Sunflowers (May 22), Beans (May 29), Pole Beans (May 29). Transplant from: Calendula (May 8), Swiss Chard (May 8), Bok Choy (May 15), Cauliflower (May 15), Cosmos (May 22), Lavender (May 22), +15 more. Last frost around May 22. Last sowing dates: Corn (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Cucumber (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 5), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 16), Pole Beans (Jun 16), Basil (Jun 21), Cosmos (Jun 21), Cucumber (Jun 21), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 1), Parsley (Jul 2), Peas (Jul 7), Cabbage (Jul 16), Carrots (Jul 16), Beets (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 5), Arugula (Aug 15), Spinach (Aug 15), Radish (Aug 16). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 17). First frost around September 17. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 8). |
| 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 Winchendon, MA (ZIP 01475)?
The median last spring frost date for Winchendon, MA (ZIP code 01475) is around May 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 May 4; one in ten it runs past June 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Winchendon, MA?
The median first fall frost date for Winchendon, MA is around September 17. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Winchendon, MA?
The frost-free growing season in Winchendon is about 118 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 Winchendon (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Winchendon, MA?
Winchendon, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 Winchendon, MA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 17 and plant out Jun 5 in Winchendon. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Winchendon?
Two: plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24.
When do I plant garlic in Winchendon?
Sep 17 to Oct 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Winchendon?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Peterborough (ZIP 03458) has 137 frost-free days, 19 more than Winchendon (ZIP 01475). See Peterborough ZIP 03458 frost dates
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- When to plant in MA
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