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

Planting zone for 01346 — Heath, MA

ZIP code 01346 (Heath, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 01346 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 14

First frostOct 4

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Heath, 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 Heath, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Rowe 3ne, MA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,736 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 01346

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

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 14) 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 01346 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
Apr 16

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 Heath, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01346 is Millsite — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter99%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Millsite-Westminster complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky.

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 01346; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Heath, MA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,751base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.2 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: Rowe 3ne, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: Buckland 1.8 Ese, MA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

013405b

Colrain, MA · 4 mi

013395b

Charlemont, MA · 5 mi

013385b

Buckland, MA · 6 mi

013705b

Shelburne Falls, MA · 6 mi

013675b

Rowe, MA · 6 mi

053425b

Jacksonville, VT · 8 mi

013435b

Drury, MA · 8 mi

053585b

West Halifax, VT · 9 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01346

What planting zone is ZIP code 01346?

ZIP code 01346 (Heath, 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 Heath, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01346 is May 14; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rowe 3ne station.

When is the first frost in Heath, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01346 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01346?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01346 get?

About 52.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buckland 1.8 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Heath, MA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01346 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Millsite at the center of ZIP 01346: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Heath, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01346 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Heath, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01346 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01346 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01346 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.