Last frost date in Reading, MA
The average last frost in Reading is April 25. By May 8 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 17, which leaves 174 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 3 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 8
- Average first frost
- Oct 17
- Frost-free season
- 174 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 11
Frost likely Fri night, low 30°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC
- ThuOct 2237°
- FriOct 2330°frost
- SatOct 2431°frost
- SunOct 2536°possible frost
- MonOct 2643°
- TueOct 2738°
- WedOct 2839°
Planting calendar for Reading
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Massachusetts.
TomatoesMay 2–May 16
PumpkinsMay 9–May 23
SunflowersApr 25–May 16
CucumbersMay 9–May 16
CornMay 2–May 16
Sweet potatoesMay 16–May 30
WatermelonMay 9–May 23
Green beansMay 2–May 23
ZucchiniMay 2–May 16
OkraMay 16–May 30
PeppersMay 9–May 23
BasilMay 2–May 16
Butternut squashMay 2–May 16
CantaloupeMay 9–May 23
EggplantMay 9–May 23
PotatoesMar 28–Apr 11
OnionsMar 14–Apr 4
CarrotsApr 4–May 9
LettuceApr 11–May 2
BroccoliMar 28–Apr 11
BeetsMar 28–May 9
PeasMar 14–Mar 28
CabbageMar 28–Apr 11
RadishesMar 21–May 2
Brussels sproutsApr 11–Apr 25
SpinachMar 14–Apr 4
CilantroApr 11–May 2
KaleMar 28–Apr 11
Collard greensMar 28–Apr 11
TurnipsMar 28–Apr 11
DillApr 25–May 9
CeleryMay 2–May 9
CauliflowerApr 11–Apr 25
LeeksApr 11–Apr 25
Swiss chardApr 11–May 9
ParsleyApr 11–May 2
Tulip bulbsOct 3–Nov 7
GarlicSep 26–Oct 31
Daffodil bulbsSep 19–Oct 31
StrawberriesMar 28–Apr 11
AsparagusMar 28–Apr 11Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 13 | Apr 25 | May 8 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 31 | Apr 11 | Apr 24 | Oct 14 | Oct 30 | Nov 11 |
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 Reading (USC00196783) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Reading 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 Reading, MA?
The average last frost date in Reading is April 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 8.
When is the first frost in Reading?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 17. One year in ten it arrives before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Reading?
About 174 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Reading?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 2 to May 16. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Massachusetts
- WakefieldApr 25
- WilmingtonApr 25
- WoburnApr 25
- StonehamApr 25
- BurlingtonApr 25
- MelroseApr 25
- WinchesterApr 25
- SaugusApr 25
- PeabodyApr 24
- MaldenApr 4
- MedfordApr 4
- DanversApr 24