Last frost date in Lowell, MA

Average last frost
April 30

The average last frost in Lowell is April 30. By May 10 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 10, which leaves 164 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 30 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 10
Average first frost
Oct 10
Frost-free season
164 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 18
Next 7 nights in Lowell

Hard freeze likely Fri night, low 28°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2235°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2328°hard freeze
  3. SatOct 2429°frost
  4. SunOct 2535°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2736°possible frost
  7. WedOct 2837°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 30First frost Oct 10164 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND164 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lowell, 2.2 miles from Lowell.

Planting calendar for Lowell

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Massachusetts.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 26–Oct 31
GarlicSep 19–Oct 24
Daffodil bulbsSep 12–Oct 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 19Apr 30May 10Sep 30Oct 10Oct 24
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 7Apr 18Apr 29Oct 9Oct 22Nov 5

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Lowell (USC00194313) sits 2.2 miles from the center of Lowell at 110 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Lowell, MA?

The average last frost date in Lowell is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 10.

When is the first frost in Lowell?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 10. One year in ten it arrives before September 30.

How long is the growing season in Lowell?

About 164 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lowell?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Massachusetts

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