Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Billerica, MA

Billerica, MA is in USDA zone 6b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 13.

Billerica on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostApr 27
First frostOct 13
Growing season169 days

6b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Billerica, MA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Billerica, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Bedford, MA, elevation 161 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Billerica

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 13) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 01822 came on Apr 4 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Massachusetts

548 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Massachusetts, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 66

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 188

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 159

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Billerica, MA.

Soil in Billerica, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01822 is Paxton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5.5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Paxton-Urban land complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 01822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Billerica, MA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,718base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 19 °F 39°19° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 FebMarch: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bedford, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Wilmington 2.2 Wnw, MA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Billerica

018216b
−5 to 0 °F
018226b
−5 to 0 °F

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about Billerica

What planting zone is Billerica, MA?

Billerica, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Billerica, MA?

The median last spring frost is April 27 and the median first fall frost is October 13 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bedford station).

When can I plant a garden in Billerica, MA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 16 – Apr 6; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 4, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Billerica, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Billerica, MA get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).