Frost Dates for Barnstable Town, MA

In Barnstable Town, MA, the average last spring frost is around Apr 16 and the average first fall frost around Oct 30, for a growing season of about 195 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 30, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 1650% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 30only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 3050% chance of frost before this date
Growing season195 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Hyannis, MA weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 60 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 30Oct 15
20%Apr 25Oct 20
30%Apr 22Oct 24
40%Apr 19Oct 27
50%Apr 16Oct 30
60%Apr 13Nov 1
70%Apr 10Nov 4
80%Apr 8Nov 7
90%Apr 5Nov 13

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 29Oct 19
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 16Oct 30
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 3Nov 11

Planting calendar for Barnstable Town

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Basil
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Green beans
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Sep 4 – Oct 2
Spinach
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 26
Fall sowing Sep 4 – Sep 25
Peas
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 21 – Sep 4
Kale
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 21 – Sep 18
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Aug 21
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Aug 21
Carrots
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Aug 21
Radishes
Sow Mar 12 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Sep 18 – Oct 9
Beets
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 21 – Sep 4
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Plant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Potatoes
Plant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Garlic
Plant Oct 30 – Nov 27

Based on the average last frost (Apr 16) and first frost (Oct 30). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

New BedfordFall RiverBridgewater TownTauntonBrocktonWeymouth TownBraintree TownRandolph TownAll Massachusetts towns