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

Planting zone for 01255 — Sandisfield, MA

ZIP code 01255 (Sandisfield, Berkshire County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 01255 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 3
First frostOct 11
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 Sandisfield, 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 Sandisfield, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Norfolk 2 Sw, CT — 10 miles away, elevation 1,339 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 01255

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 01255 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).

Soil in Sandisfield, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01255 is Pillsbury — mucky peat, poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pillsbury fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 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 01255; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sandisfield, MA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,192base 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)
Precipitation52.5 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 30 °F, low 14 °F 30°14° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 60 °F 78°60° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 58 °F 76°58° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 40 °F 57°40° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Norfolk 2 Sw, CT (10 mi away); precipitation: Colebrook 1.0 Ne, CT (7 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.

012596a
Southfield, MA · 6 mi
010295b
East Otis, MA · 7 mi
012535b
Otis, MA · 7 mi
060216a
Colebrook, CT · 7 mi
012455b
Monterey, MA · 8 mi
012445b
Mill River, MA · 8 mi
010346a
Granville, MA · 8 mi
060916a
West Hartland, CT · 9 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01255

What planting zone is ZIP code 01255?

ZIP code 01255 (Sandisfield, 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 Sandisfield, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01255 is May 3; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Norfolk 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Sandisfield, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01255 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01255?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01255 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colebrook 1.0 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Sandisfield, MA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01255 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pillsbury at the center of ZIP 01255: mucky peat, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sandisfield, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01255 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 Sandisfield, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01255 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01255 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01255 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.