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

Planting zone for 01469 — Townsend, MA

ZIP code 01469 (Townsend, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 01469 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 1
First frostOct 9
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 Townsend, 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 Townsend, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Fitchburg Coop, MA — 6 miles away, elevation 666 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 01469

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
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 1) 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 01469 came on Apr 10 — about the same time as 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).

Soil in Townsend, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01469 is Canton — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Canton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 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 01469; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Townsend, MA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, February
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,397base 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)
Precipitation49.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 15 °F 34°15° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

014746a
West Townsend, MA · 3 mi
014636a
Pepperell, MA · 5 mi
014726a
West Groton, MA · 5 mi
014626a
Lunenburg, MA · 6 mi
030336a
Brookline, NH · 6 mi
030486a
Greenville, NH · 6 mi
014646a
Shirley, MA · 7 mi
014316a
Ashby, MA · 7 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01469

What planting zone is ZIP code 01469?

ZIP code 01469 (Townsend, 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 Townsend, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01469 is May 1; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fitchburg Coop station.

When is the first frost in Townsend, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01469 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01469?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01469 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fitchburg Coop station).

How hot do summers get in Townsend, MA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01469 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canton at the center of ZIP 01469: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Townsend, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01469 came on Apr 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Townsend, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01469 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01469 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01469 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.