Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Duxbury, MA

Duxbury, MA is in USDA zone 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost November 1.

Duxbury 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 15

First frostNov 1

Growing season198 days

7a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Duxbury, 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 Duxbury, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Plymouth-Kingston, MA, elevation 46 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 Duxbury

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 02332 came on Apr 2 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

average
Apr 52026
Apr 2

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 7a in Massachusetts

561 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Massachusetts, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Duxbury, MA.

Soil in Duxbury, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02332 is Freetown — peat, very poorly drained.

TexturePeattop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter65%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Water.

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 02332; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Duxbury, MA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,094base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation52.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Plymouth-Kingston, MA (4 mi away); precipitation: Kingston 3.3 Wnw, MA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Duxbury

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about Duxbury

What planting zone is Duxbury, MA?

Duxbury, MA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Duxbury, MA?

The median last spring frost is April 15 and the median first fall frost is November 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plymouth-Kingston station).

When can I plant a garden in Duxbury, MA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 4 – Mar 25; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 22, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Duxbury, MA?

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

How much rain and snow does Duxbury, MA get?

About 52.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).