Last frost date in Pittsfield, MA

Average last frost
May 5

In Pittsfield, the last spring frost comes around May 5 in an average year. Wait until May 21 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 5, which leaves 152 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 21
Average first frost
Oct 5
Frost-free season
152 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 23
Next 7 nights in Pittsfield

Hard freeze likely tonight, low 28°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2228°hard freeze
  2. FriOct 2326°hard freeze
  3. SatOct 2428°hard freeze
  4. SunOct 2534°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2638°
  6. TueOct 2732°frost
  7. WedOct 2835°possible frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 5First frost Oct 5152 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND152 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Pittsfield Municipal Airport, 2.2 miles from Pittsfield.

Planting calendar for Pittsfield

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 12–May 26
PumpkinsMay 19–Jun 2
SunflowersMay 5–May 26
CucumbersMay 19–May 26
CornMay 12–May 26
Sweet potatoesMay 26–Jun 9
WatermelonMay 19–Jun 2
Green beansMay 12–Jun 2
ZucchiniMay 12–May 26
OkraMay 26–Jun 9
PeppersMay 19–Jun 2
BasilMay 12–May 26
Butternut squashMay 12–May 26
CantaloupeMay 19–Jun 2
EggplantMay 19–Jun 2
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 7–Apr 21
OnionsMar 24–Apr 14
CarrotsApr 14–May 19
LettuceApr 21–May 12
BroccoliApr 7–Apr 21
BeetsApr 7–May 19
PeasMar 24–Apr 7
CabbageApr 7–Apr 21
RadishesMar 31–May 12
Brussels sproutsApr 21–May 5
SpinachMar 24–Apr 14
CilantroApr 21–May 12
KaleApr 7–Apr 21
Collard greensApr 7–Apr 21
TurnipsApr 7–Apr 21
DillMay 5–May 19
CeleryMay 12–May 19
CauliflowerApr 21–May 5
LeeksApr 21–May 5
Swiss chardApr 21–May 19
ParsleyApr 21–May 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 21–Oct 26
GarlicSep 14–Oct 19
Daffodil bulbsSep 7–Oct 19
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 7–Apr 21
AsparagusApr 7–Apr 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 23May 5May 21Sep 23Oct 5Oct 22
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 8Apr 23May 9Oct 2Oct 18Nov 4

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 Pittsfield Municipal Airport (USW00014763) sits 2.2 miles from the center of Pittsfield at 1,194 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 Pittsfield, MA?

The average last frost date in Pittsfield is May 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 21.

When is the first frost in Pittsfield?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 5. One year in ten it arrives before September 23.

How long is the growing season in Pittsfield?

About 152 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Pittsfield?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 12 to May 26. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Massachusetts

All 69 cities in Massachusetts