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

Planting zone for 01028 — East Longmeadow, MA

ZIP code 01028 (East Longmeadow, Hampden County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 01028 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 21
First frostOct 16
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East Longmeadow, 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 East Longmeadow, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Hartford Bradley Intl Airport, CT — 13 miles away, elevation 190 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 01028

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 01028 came on Apr 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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).

Soil in East Longmeadow, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01028 is Wethersfield — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wethersfield fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very 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 01028; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Longmeadow, MA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,069base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hartford Bradley Intl Airport, CT (13 mi away); precipitation: Central Somers 0.3 N, CT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

011286a
Springfield, MA · 2 mi
011186b
Springfield, MA · 3 mi
011086b
Springfield, MA · 3 mi
011066b
Longmeadow, MA · 4 mi
011296a
Springfield, MA · 4 mi
010366a
Hampden, MA · 4 mi
011196a
Springfield, MA · 4 mi
011056b
Springfield, MA · 5 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01028

What planting zone is ZIP code 01028?

ZIP code 01028 (East Longmeadow, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in East Longmeadow, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01028 is April 21; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartford Bradley Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in East Longmeadow, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01028 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01028?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01028 get?

About 49 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Central Somers 0.3 N station).

How hot do summers get in East Longmeadow, MA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01028 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wethersfield at the center of ZIP 01028: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Longmeadow, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01028 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Longmeadow, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01028 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01028 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01028 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.