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

Planting zone for 01463 — Pepperell, MA

ZIP code 01463 (Pepperell, Middlesex 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 8.

Where ZIP 01463 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 8
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 Pepperell, 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 Pepperell, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Nashua Cwsu, NH — 7 miles away, elevation 180 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 01463

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 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 01463 came on Apr 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

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 Pepperell, MA.

Soil in Pepperell, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01463 is Sudbury — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sudbury fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 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 01463; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pepperell, MA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,767base 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)
Precipitation46.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nashua Cwsu, NH (7 mi away); precipitation: Nashua Cwsu, NH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

014706a
Groton, MA · 4 mi
014716a
Groton, MA · 4 mi
014506a
Groton, MA · 5 mi
014696a
Townsend, MA · 5 mi
014726a
West Groton, MA · 5 mi
018276a
Dunstable, MA · 5 mi
030496a
Hollis, NH · 6 mi
030626a
Nashua, NH · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01463

What planting zone is ZIP code 01463?

ZIP code 01463 (Pepperell, 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 Pepperell, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01463 is April 29; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashua Cwsu station.

When is the first frost in Pepperell, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01463 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01463?

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 01463 get?

About 46.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashua Cwsu station).

How hot do summers get in Pepperell, MA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01463 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sudbury at the center of ZIP 01463: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pepperell, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01463 came on Apr 11 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 Pepperell, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01463 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01463 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01463 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.