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

Planting zone for 01464 — Shirley, MA

ZIP code 01464 (Shirley, 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 11.

Where ZIP 01464 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 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 Shirley, 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 Shirley, 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 — 6 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 01464

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 01464 came on Apr 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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 Shirley, MA.

Soil in Shirley, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01464 is Bernardston — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bernardston very fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 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 01464; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shirley, 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

014726a
West Groton, MA · 2 mi
014346a
Devens, MA · 3 mi
014326a
Ayer, MA · 3 mi
014626a
Lunenburg, MA · 4 mi
014706a
Groton, MA · 4 mi
014716a
Groton, MA · 4 mi
014506a
Groton, MA · 5 mi
014676a
Still River, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01464

What planting zone is ZIP code 01464?

ZIP code 01464 (Shirley, 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 Shirley, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01464 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 Shirley, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01464 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01464?

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 01464 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Shirley, 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 01464 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bernardston at the center of ZIP 01464: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shirley, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01464 came on Apr 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shirley, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01464 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).