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

Planting zone for 01373 — South Deerfield, MA

ZIP code 01373 (South Deerfield, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 01373 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 2
First frostOct 9
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for South Deerfield, 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 South Deerfield, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Leverett #2, MA — 5 miles away, elevation 315 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 01373

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 01373 came on Apr 5 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 South Deerfield, MA.

Soil in South Deerfield, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01373 is Udorthents — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents-Urban land complex.

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 01373; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Deerfield, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,606base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall46 inper year; 66 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 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 12 °F 35°12° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.40 in precipitation, 12.8 in snowfall 3.4❄13 JanFebruary: 3.12 in precipitation, 12.4 in snowfall 3.1❄12 FebMarch: 3.70 in precipitation, 8.8 in snowfall 3.7❄9 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 4.0❄1 AprMay: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 OctNovember: 3.64 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.6❄2 NovDecember: 4.27 in precipitation, 8.7 in snowfall 4.3❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Leverett #2, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Sunderland, MA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

010936a
Whately, MA · 3 mi
013026a
Greenfield, MA · 3 mi
013756a
Sunderland, MA · 4 mi
010666a
North Hatfield, MA · 4 mi
013426a
Deerfield, MA · 5 mi
013416a
Conway, MA · 5 mi
010396a
Haydenville, MA · 6 mi
010596a
North Amherst, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01373

What planting zone is ZIP code 01373?

ZIP code 01373 (South Deerfield, 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 South Deerfield, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01373 is May 2; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leverett #2 station.

When is the first frost in South Deerfield, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01373 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01373?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01373 get?

About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sunderland station).

How hot do summers get in South Deerfield, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01373 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 01373: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in South Deerfield, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01373 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Deerfield, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01373 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).