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

Planting zone for 01220 — Adams, MA

ZIP code 01220 (Adams, Berkshire County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 01220 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 10
First frostOct 4
2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Adams, 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 Adams, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station North Adams Harriman Airport, MA — 6 miles away, elevation 653 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 01220

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 01220 came on Apr 12 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Adams, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01220 is Copake — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Copake fine sandy loam, 8 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 01220; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Adams, MA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,291base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 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)
Precipitation42.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: North Adams Harriman Airport, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: North Adams Harriman Airport, MA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

012255b
Cheshire, MA · 4 mi
012475b
North Adams, MA · 5 mi
012565b
Savoy, MA · 5 mi
012675b
Williamstown, MA · 7 mi
013435b
Drury, MA · 8 mi
012705b
Windsor, MA · 8 mi
012375b
Lanesborough, MA · 9 mi
012245b
Berkshire, MA · 9 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01220

What planting zone is ZIP code 01220?

ZIP code 01220 (Adams, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Adams, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01220 is May 10; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Adams Harriman Airport station.

When is the first frost in Adams, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01220 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01220?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01220 get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Adams Harriman Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Adams, MA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01220 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Copake at the center of ZIP 01220: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Adams, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01220 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Adams, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01220 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).