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

Planting zone for 01985 — West Newbury, MA

ZIP code 01985 (West Newbury, Essex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 01985 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 frostMay 3
First frostOct 8
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 West Newbury, 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 Newbury, 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 — 6 miles away, 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 01985

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 01985 came on Apr 10 — 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 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 West Newbury, MA.

Soil in West Newbury, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01985 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 matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Charlton fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 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 01985; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Newbury, 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 01 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

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

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 FebMarch: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Groveland, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: Newburyport 0.8 Sw, MA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

019136a
Amesbury, MA · 4 mi
018606a
Merrimac, MA · 4 mi
019506b
Newburyport, MA · 4 mi
019226b
Byfield, MA · 4 mi
018346a
Groveland, MA · 4 mi
018306a
Haverhill, MA · 5 mi
018336b
Georgetown, MA · 5 mi
038596a
Newton Junction, NH · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01985

What planting zone is ZIP code 01985?

ZIP code 01985 (West Newbury, 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 West Newbury, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01985 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 West Newbury, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01985 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01985?

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 01985 get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newburyport 0.8 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in West Newbury, 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 01985 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 01985: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 01985 came on Apr 10 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 West Newbury, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01985 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01985 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01985 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.