When to plant in Holyoke, MA
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Holyoke, Massachusetts — all computed from Holyoke's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Holyoke gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Holyoke’s own odds, recorded at WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 28 | May 14 | May 1 | Sep 16 | Sep 30 | Oct 11 |
| 32°F | May 17 | May 3 | Apr 20 | Sep 26 | Oct 8 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | May 5 | Apr 21 | Apr 6 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Nov 5 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Holyoke, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Holyoke planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Holyoke, MA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Holyoke around May 3 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Holyoke, MA?
The first fall frost in Holyoke typically arrives around October 8 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Holyoke in?
Holyoke is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Holyoke?
Holyoke has about 158 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (October 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Holyoke?
For Holyoke, sow tomatoes indoors about March 8–March 22 and move the seedlings out around May 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Holyoke
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Holyoke’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Easthampton · 6 km
- Chicopee · 7 km
- West Springfield Town · 10 km
- Westfield · 12 km
- Northampton · 13 km
- Springfield · 14 km
- Agawam Town · 16 km
- Longmeadow · 19 km
Frost dates recorded at WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Holyoke, MA — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014775. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/massachusetts/holyoke.