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

Planting zone for 01983 — Topsfield, MA

ZIP code 01983 (Topsfield, Essex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 01983 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 24
First frostOct 17
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 Topsfield, 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 Topsfield, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Beverly Municipal Airport, MA — 4 miles away, elevation 108 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 01983

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 01983 came on Apr 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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.

Trees 66

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 188

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 159

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 Topsfield, MA.

Soil in Topsfield, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01983 is Paxton — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Paxton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very 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 01983; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Topsfield, MA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,667base 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)
Precipitation47.7 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 36 °F, low 20 °F 36°20° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beverly Municipal Airport, MA (4 mi away); precipitation: Boxford 2.4 S, MA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

019366b
Hamilton, MA · 3 mi
019616b
Peabody, MA · 3 mi
019716b
Salem, MA · 3 mi
019496b
Middleton, MA · 4 mi
019846b
Wenham, MA · 4 mi
019376b
Hathorne, MA · 4 mi
019826b
South Hamilton, MA · 5 mi
019236b
Danvers, MA · 5 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01983

What planting zone is ZIP code 01983?

ZIP code 01983 (Topsfield, 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 Topsfield, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01983 is April 24; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beverly Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Topsfield, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01983 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01983?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01983 get?

About 47.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boxford 2.4 S station).

How hot do summers get in Topsfield, MA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01983 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Paxton at the center of ZIP 01983: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Topsfield, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01983 came on Apr 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Topsfield, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01983 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01983 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01983 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.