Last frost date in New Bedford, MA

Average last frost
April 29

The average last frost in New Bedford is April 29. By May 15 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 15, which leaves 167 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 15
Average first frost
Oct 15
Frost-free season
167 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 15
Next 7 nights in New Bedford

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 33°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2237°
  2. FriOct 2333°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2434°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2539°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2742°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 15167 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND167 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at NEW Bedford Municipal Airport, 1.5 miles from New Bedford.

Planting calendar for New Bedford

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 6–May 20
PumpkinsMay 13–May 27
SunflowersApr 29–May 20
CucumbersMay 13–May 20
CornMay 6–May 20
Sweet potatoesMay 20–Jun 3
WatermelonMay 13–May 27
Green beansMay 6–May 27
ZucchiniMay 6–May 20
OkraMay 20–Jun 3
PeppersMay 13–May 27
BasilMay 6–May 20
Butternut squashMay 6–May 20
CantaloupeMay 13–May 27
EggplantMay 13–May 27
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 1–Apr 15
OnionsMar 18–Apr 8
CarrotsApr 8–May 13
LettuceApr 15–May 6
BroccoliApr 1–Apr 15
BeetsApr 1–May 13
PeasMar 18–Apr 1
CabbageApr 1–Apr 15
RadishesMar 25–May 6
Brussels sproutsApr 15–Apr 29
SpinachMar 18–Apr 8
CilantroApr 15–May 6
KaleApr 1–Apr 15
Collard greensApr 1–Apr 15
TurnipsApr 1–Apr 15
DillApr 29–May 13
CeleryMay 6–May 13
CauliflowerApr 15–Apr 29
LeeksApr 15–Apr 29
Swiss chardApr 15–May 13
ParsleyApr 15–May 6
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 1–Nov 5
GarlicSep 24–Oct 29
Daffodil bulbsSep 17–Oct 29
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 17Apr 29May 15Oct 2Oct 15Oct 31
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 31Apr 15Apr 30Oct 12Oct 28Nov 12

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 NEW Bedford Municipal Airport (USW00094726) sits 1.5 miles from the center of New Bedford at 80 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 New Bedford, MA?

The average last frost date in New Bedford is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 15.

When is the first frost in New Bedford?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 15. One year in ten it arrives before October 2.

How long is the growing season in New Bedford?

About 167 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in New Bedford?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Massachusetts

All 69 cities in Massachusetts