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

Planting zone for 01585 — West Brookfield, MA

ZIP code 01585 (West Brookfield, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 01585 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 28

First frostOct 15

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 West Brookfield, 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 West Brookfield, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station E Brimfield Lake, MA — 9 miles away, elevation 699 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 01585

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 01585 came on Apr 11 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
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.

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 West Brookfield, MA.

Soil in West Brookfield, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01585 is Hinckley — moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hinckley loamy sand, 0 to 3 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 01585; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Brookfield, MA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,517base 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)

Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall43 inper year; 64 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: E Brimfield Lake, MA (9 mi away); precipitation: Ware, MA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

010836a

Warren, MA · 3 mi

015066a

Brookfield, MA · 5 mi

010926a

West Warren, MA · 5 mi

015356a

North Brookfield, MA · 5 mi

015316a

New Braintree, MA · 6 mi

010316a

Gilbertville, MA · 6 mi

015156a

East Brookfield, MA · 7 mi

010826a

Ware, MA · 7 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01585

What planting zone is ZIP code 01585?

ZIP code 01585 (West Brookfield, 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 West Brookfield, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01585 is April 28; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Brimfield Lake station.

When is the first frost in West Brookfield, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01585 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01585?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01585 get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year and 43 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ware station).

How hot do summers get in West Brookfield, MA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01585 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hinckley at the center of ZIP 01585: moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

Did spring come early in West Brookfield, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01585 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Brookfield, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01585 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01585 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01585 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.