When is the last frost in Worcester, MA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Worcester is April 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 5.

When is the first frost in Worcester?

The average first fall frost in Worcester is October 21, with a growing season of about 181 days.

Home › States › Worcester

Worcester, Massachusetts frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 23. Average first fall frost: October 21. That gives a growing season of about 181 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 5, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 23

1-in-10 risk after May 5

First frost (50%)

Oct 21

1-in-10 risk before Oct 6

Growing season

181 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 11

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 11	November 3
70%	April 18	October 27
50%	April 23	October 21
30%	April 29	October 14
10%	May 5	October 6

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 5. These are NOAA probabilities for the Worcester Regional Airport weather station (USW00094746, elevation 305 m), 1991–2020.

Worcester vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 23). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 5) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Apr 2	Apr 30 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 12	Mar 26
Brussels sprouts	Feb 12	Mar 26
Cabbage	Feb 5	Mar 19
Cauliflower	Feb 26	Apr 9
Sweet corn	Mar 26	Apr 23 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 9	Apr 30
Kale	Feb 5	Mar 19
Leeks	Jan 8	Mar 19
Lettuce	Mar 5	Apr 9
Melons	Apr 16	May 7
Onions	Jan 1	Mar 12 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 26	Mar 26 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 12	May 7
Squash	Apr 16	May 7
Tomatoes	Feb 26	Apr 23

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 21. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 6. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 1.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Providence, RI	Apr 11	Oct 30	~71 km
Boston, MA	Apr 4	Nov 9	~72 km
Hartford, CT	Apr 21	Oct 16	~76 km
Manchester, NH	Apr 21	Oct 19	~82 km
Albany, NY	Apr 27	Oct 15	~167 km
Portland, ME	Apr 26	Oct 15	~200 km

More: all Massachusetts frost dates