Last frost date in Milton, MA

Average last frost
April 18

In Milton, the last spring frost comes around April 18 in an average year. Wait until April 30 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 190 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 9 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 30
Average first frost
Oct 26
Frost-free season
190 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 6
Next 7 nights in Milton

Frost likely Fri night, low 31°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2238°
  2. FriOct 2331°frost
  3. SatOct 2432°frost
  4. SunOct 2537°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 18First frost Oct 26190 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND190 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Blue Hill Coop, 2.6 miles from Milton.

Planting calendar for Milton

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
TomatoesApr 25–May 9
PumpkinsMay 2–May 16
SunflowersApr 18–May 9
CucumbersMay 2–May 9
CornApr 25–May 9
Sweet potatoesMay 9–May 23
WatermelonMay 2–May 16
Green beansApr 25–May 16
ZucchiniApr 25–May 9
OkraMay 9–May 23
PeppersMay 2–May 16
BasilApr 25–May 9
Butternut squashApr 25–May 9
CantaloupeMay 2–May 16
EggplantMay 2–May 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 21–Apr 4
OnionsMar 7–Mar 28
CarrotsMar 28–May 2
LettuceApr 4–Apr 25
BroccoliMar 21–Apr 4
BeetsMar 21–May 2
PeasMar 7–Mar 21
CabbageMar 21–Apr 4
RadishesMar 14–Apr 25
Brussels sproutsApr 4–Apr 18
SpinachMar 7–Mar 28
CilantroApr 4–Apr 25
KaleMar 21–Apr 4
Collard greensMar 21–Apr 4
TurnipsMar 21–Apr 4
DillApr 18–May 2
CeleryApr 25–May 2
CauliflowerApr 4–Apr 18
LeeksApr 4–Apr 18
Swiss chardApr 4–May 2
ParsleyApr 4–Apr 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 21–Apr 4
AsparagusMar 21–Apr 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 7Apr 18Apr 30Oct 9Oct 26Nov 8
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 28Apr 6Apr 18Oct 23Nov 5Nov 19

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 Blue Hill Coop (USC00190736) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Milton at 625 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 Milton, MA?

The average last frost date in Milton is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 30.

When is the first frost in Milton?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 9.

How long is the growing season in Milton?

About 190 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Milton?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 25 to May 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Massachusetts

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