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

Planting zone for 02032 — East Walpole, MA

ZIP code 02032 (East Walpole, Norfolk 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 14.

Where ZIP 02032 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 27
First frostOct 14
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East Walpole, 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 East Walpole, 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 14median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Walpole 2, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 171 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 02032

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 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 02032 came on Apr 3 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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).

Soil in East Walpole, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02032 is Merrimac — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.12%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 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 02032; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Walpole, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,916base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall56 inper year; 59 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 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.94 in precipitation, 15.1 in snowfall 3.9❄15 JanFebruary: 3.36 in precipitation, 14.1 in snowfall 3.4❄14 FebMarch: 4.77 in precipitation, 11.6 in snowfall 4.8❄12 MarApril: 4.43 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 4.4❄3 AprMay: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.97 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 5.0 OctNovember: 4.08 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 4.1❄2 NovDecember: 4.96 in precipitation, 10.8 in snowfall 5.0❄11 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Walpole 2, MA (2 mi away); precipitation: Walpole 2, MA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

020816b
Walpole, MA · 2 mi
020626b
Norwood, MA · 2 mi
020676b
Sharon, MA · 4 mi
020906b
Westwood, MA · 4 mi
020716b
South Walpole, MA · 4 mi
020216b
Canton, MA · 5 mi
020526b
Medfield, MA · 5 mi
020726b
Stoughton, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02032

What planting zone is ZIP code 02032?

ZIP code 02032 (East Walpole, 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 East Walpole, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02032 is April 27; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walpole 2 station.

When is the first frost in East Walpole, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02032 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02032?

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 02032 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year and 56 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walpole 2 station).

How hot do summers get in East Walpole, 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 02032 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Merrimac at the center of ZIP 02032: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Walpole, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02032 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Walpole, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02032 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).