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

Planting zone for 02111 — Boston, MA

ZIP code 02111 (Boston, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 02111 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostNov 9
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Boston, 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 Boston, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Boston Logan Intl Airport, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 13 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 02111

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 02111 came on Mar 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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 Boston, MA

The center of ZIP 02111 is mapped as Urban land, wet substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 02111; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boston, MA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,050base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation43.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall49 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 23 °F 37°23° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 25 °F 39°25° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 31 °F 46°31° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 41 °F 56°41° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 50 °F 67°50° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 60 °F 76°60° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 66 °F 82°66° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 65 °F 80°65° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 58 °F 73°58° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 48 °F 62°48° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 38 °F 52°38° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 29 °F 42°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.39 in precipitation, 14.3 in snowfall 3.4❄14 JanFebruary: 3.21 in precipitation, 14.4 in snowfall 3.2❄14 FebMarch: 4.17 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 4.2❄9 MarApril: 3.63 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.6❄2 AprMay: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.03 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.0 OctNovember: 3.66 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.7❄1 NovDecember: 4.30 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 4.3❄9 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

022057a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
021087a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
021127a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
021967a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
022017a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
022117a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
022127a
Boston, MA · <1 mi
022417a
Boston, MA · <1 mi

All 34 ZIP codes in Boston → · Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02111

What planting zone is ZIP code 02111?

ZIP code 02111 (Boston, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Boston, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02111 is April 4; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boston Logan Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Boston, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02111 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02111?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02111 get?

About 43.6 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boston Logan Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Boston, MA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Boston, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02111 came on Mar 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boston, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02111 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02111 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02111 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.