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

Planting zone for 01822 — Billerica, MA

ZIP code 01822 (Billerica, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 01822 is

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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 13

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Billerica, 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 Billerica, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Bedford, MA — 5 miles away, elevation 161 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 01822

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 01822 came on Apr 4 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Apr 4

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 6b in Massachusetts

548 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Massachusetts, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Billerica, MA.

Soil in Billerica, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01822 is Paxton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Paxton-Urban land complex, 3 to 15 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 01822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Billerica, MA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,718base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 18 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)

Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bedford, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Wilmington 2.2 Wnw, MA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

018216b

Billerica, MA · 1 mi

018656b

Nutting Lake, MA · 1 mi

018626b

North Billerica, MA · 2 mi

Chelmsford, MA · 5 mi

017416b

Carlisle, MA · 5 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Billerica → · Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01822

What planting zone is ZIP code 01822?

ZIP code 01822 (Billerica, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Billerica, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01822 is April 27; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bedford station.

When is the first frost in Billerica, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01822 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01822?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01822 get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilmington 2.2 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Billerica, MA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01822 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Paxton at the center of ZIP 01822: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Billerica, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01822 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Billerica, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01822 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01822 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01822 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.