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

Planting zone for 01834 — Groveland, MA

ZIP code 01834 (Groveland, Essex County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 01834 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 3
First frostOct 8
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 Groveland, 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 Groveland, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Groveland, MA — within 1 mile, elevation 30 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 01834

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 01834 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

Shrubs 109

Wildflowers & perennials 186

Grasses 157

Vines 8

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 Groveland, MA.

Soil in Groveland, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01834 is Charlton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter8%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Charlton fine sandy loam, 8 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 01834; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Groveland, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,670base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 20 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 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall67 inper year; 75 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 17 °F 35°17° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.70 in precipitation, 17.9 in snowfall 3.7❄18 JanFebruary: 3.61 in precipitation, 17.2 in snowfall 3.6❄17 FebMarch: 4.95 in precipitation, 14.4 in snowfall 5.0❄14 MarApril: 4.16 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 4.2❄2 AprMay: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 4.92 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 4.9 OctNovember: 3.88 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 3.9❄2 NovDecember: 4.72 in precipitation, 13 in snowfall 4.7❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Groveland, MA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Groveland, MA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01834

What planting zone is ZIP code 01834?

ZIP code 01834 (Groveland, 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 Groveland, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01834 is May 3; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Groveland station.

When is the first frost in Groveland, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01834 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01834?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01834 get?

About 49 inches of precipitation a year and 67 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Groveland station).

How hot do summers get in Groveland, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01834 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 01834: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Groveland, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01834 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 Groveland, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01834 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).