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

Planting zone for 01501 — Auburn, MA

ZIP code 01501 (Auburn, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 01501 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 23
First frostOct 21
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 Auburn, 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 Auburn, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Worcester Regional Airport, MA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 01501

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 01501 came on Apr 9 — 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).

Soil in Auburn, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01501 is Udorthents — variable.

TextureVariabletop layer
Organic matter0.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents, smoothed.

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 01501; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Auburn, MA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,494base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation50.1 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 32 °F, low 17 °F 32°17° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 56 °F 75°56° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 61 °F 78°61° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 53 °F 71°53° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 33 °F 48°33° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Worcester Regional Airport, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Auburn 2.6 Sw, MA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

015866a
West Millbury, MA · 3 mi
016036a
Worcester, MA · 3 mi
015426b
Rochdale, MA · 3 mi
016116b
Cherry Valley, MA · 3 mi
016076a
Worcester, MA · 3 mi
015276a
Millbury, MA · 4 mi
015376a
North Oxford, MA · 4 mi
016106a
Worcester, MA · 4 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01501

What planting zone is ZIP code 01501?

ZIP code 01501 (Auburn, 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 Auburn, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01501 is April 23; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Worcester Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Auburn, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01501 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01501?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01501 get?

About 50.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Auburn 2.6 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Auburn, MA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01501 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 01501: variable.

Did spring come early in Auburn, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01501 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 Auburn, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01501 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01501 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01501 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.