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

Planting zone for 01462 — Lunenburg, MA

ZIP code 01462 (Lunenburg, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 01462 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 frostApr 29

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 Lunenburg, 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 Lunenburg, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 348 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 01462

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

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 (Apr 29) 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 01462 came on Apr 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 9

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 Lunenburg, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01462 is Ridgebury — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ridgebury fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely 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 01462; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lunenburg, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,701base 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)

Precipitation43.4 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: Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA (2 mi away); precipitation: Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

014646a

Shirley, MA · 4 mi

014536a

Leominster, MA · 5 mi

014206a

Fitchburg, MA · 5 mi

014726a

West Groton, MA · 5 mi

014696a

Townsend, MA · 6 mi

014746a

West Townsend, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01462

What planting zone is ZIP code 01462?

ZIP code 01462 (Lunenburg, 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 Lunenburg, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01462 is April 29; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fitchburg Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lunenburg, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01462 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01462?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01462 get?

About 43.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fitchburg Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Lunenburg, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01462 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ridgebury at the center of ZIP 01462: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Lunenburg, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01462 came on Apr 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lunenburg, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01462 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01462 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01462 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.