Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 01540 (Oxford, MA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Buffumville Lake, MA (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)162 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 01540, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
57°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Kingston 1 NW (46 mi), Kingston 1 W (47 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Kingston 1 NW (46 mi), Kingston 1 W (47 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 01540 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 13 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 10 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 27 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 12 | Oct 2 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 01540
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 10). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 6–20 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 6–20 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 6–20 | Apr 10–May 1 (transplant) Apr 3–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) Aug 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) Jul 4–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–May 1 (transplant) Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) Jul 4–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 11 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 8 (transplant) Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 27–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 22–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 3–10 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 3–10 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 6–20 | May 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Buffumville Lake, MA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00190998), elevation 520 ft, 2.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Rgnl AP, MA | 11 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Southbridge 3 SW, MA | 11 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
| W Thompson Lake, CT | 12 mi | May 1 | Oct 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 01540
When is the last frost in 01540?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 01540 is May 1. For a more cautious planting date, use May 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 01540?
The average first fall freeze is October 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 28.
What hardiness zone is 01540?
ZIP 01540 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 01540 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
01537 01570 Webster 01571 01507 01590 01501 01542 01527
Other ZIP codes in Worcester County
01005 01031 01037 01068 01074 01083 01092 01094 01331 01366 01368 01420 01430 01434 01436 01438 01440 01451 01452 01453 01462 01468 01473 01475 All Worcester County frost dates · Massachusetts frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.