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

Planting zone for 01011 — Chester, MA

ZIP code 01011 (Chester, Hampden County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 01011 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 13
First frostOct 2
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chester, 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 Chester, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Worthington, MA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,286 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 01011

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 01011 came on Apr 12 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 6a in Massachusetts

544 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Massachusetts, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 186

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 157

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 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °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 Chester, MA.

Soil in Chester, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01011 is Tunbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Lyman association, 15 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 01011; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chester, MA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,046base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation54.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall77 inper year; 98 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 12 °F 32°12° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 13 °F 35°13° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.95 in precipitation, 19.3 in snowfall 4.0❄19 JanFebruary: 3.56 in precipitation, 18.2 in snowfall 3.6❄18 FebMarch: 4.25 in precipitation, 13.8 in snowfall 4.3❄14 MarApril: 4.29 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 4.3❄4 AprMay: 4.20 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.2 MayJune: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 5.59 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 5.6 OctNovember: 4.10 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 4.1❄5 NovDecember: 5.22 in precipitation, 16.7 in snowfall 5.2❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Worthington, MA (7 mi away); precipitation: Worthington, MA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

010506a
Huntington, MA · 5 mi
010086a
Blandford, MA · 7 mi
010846a
West Chesterfield, MA · 7 mi
012436a
Middlefield, MA · 7 mi
012236a
Becket, MA · 7 mi
010986a
Worthington, MA · 8 mi
010126a
Chesterfield, MA · 8 mi
010295b
East Otis, MA · 9 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01011

What planting zone is ZIP code 01011?

ZIP code 01011 (Chester, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Chester, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01011 is May 13; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Worthington station.

When is the first frost in Chester, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01011 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01011?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01011 get?

About 54.1 inches of precipitation a year and 77 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Worthington station).

How hot do summers get in Chester, MA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01011 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 01011: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chester, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01011 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chester, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01011 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01011 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01011 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.