Last frost date in Davis?

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

After years on various waiting lists, I have finally gotten a plot at one of the community gardens! Now, as a complete gardening newbie, I was surprised when all the instructions about on the seed packets I bought (and bought and bought... maybe I got a little carried away?) talk about the "last frost date for my area". I have to be able to predict the future to garden? Zone maps were unhelpfully general.

I called my FIL, an expert gardener, who said that the difference between his place in Conn. and mine in Boston was sufficiently large that I needed to talk to local experts. You all are my experts on local so.... when's the last frost for Davis (as a general rule?). 

Thanks

Comments

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I believe that last year, Pemberton Farms had a sign up that said when the last frost date was. It was in early May.

I found a website where you put in your zip code and it tells you what your frost season is. For 02144, it says this:

"Each winter, on average, your risk of frost is from October 17 through April 22.
Almost certainly, however, you will receive frost from October 30 through April 11.

You are almost guaranteed that you will not get frost from May 3 through October 3.

Your frost-free growing season is around 178 days."

I don't know exactly how reliable that is, but it sounds about right to me.

[kpht.livejournal.com]

i had it pegged around may 3. however, there are things you can plant now if you've got them - spinach, broccoli, radishes, kale and peas can all withstand frost.

[jadelennox]

safe date is Memorial Day, although if you are willing to live dangerously you should be fine with mid-May for all but the most tender things (basil + tomatoes).

(Seriously. I know that Memorial Day seems crazy, but we do occasionally get light frosts deep into May. Hard frosts are usually done by April. Almost all plants can survive late frosts; if you put things out early, and you know an unseasonal frost is coming, you can always go and throw a sheet over them in the evening.)

[ifotismeni]

my parents are both avid gardeners in chelmsford, which is about 5 degrees colder than somerville on average, and they have always abided by the memorial day rule for 20+ years and it has never failed them. we've had some frosts mid-late may, i remember. no fun having to run out and cover everything =/

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Early May has always been pretty safe for me; seeds are safe from frost and sprouts can sometimes handle light ones.