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

Planting zone for 02119 — Roxbury, MA

ZIP code 02119 (Roxbury, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 02119 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 19
First frostOct 23
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 Roxbury, 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 Roxbury, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Jamaica Plain, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 95 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 02119

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 02119 came on Mar 31 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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 7a in Massachusetts

561 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Massachusetts, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 67

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 110

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 192

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 165

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 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °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 °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 Roxbury, MA.

Soil in Roxbury, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02119 is Hollis — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hollis-Rock outcrop-Charlton complex, 0 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 02119; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Roxbury, MA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,047base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° 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 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 FebMarch: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

021207a
Roxbury Crossing, MA · <1 mi
021157a
Boston, MA · 1 mi
021187a
Boston, MA · 1 mi
021216b
Dorchester, MA · 1 mi
021257a
Dorchester, MA · 2 mi
024476b
Brookline Village, MA · 2 mi
021306b
Jamaica Plain, MA · 2 mi
022156b
Boston, MA · 2 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02119

What planting zone is ZIP code 02119?

ZIP code 02119 (Roxbury, 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 Roxbury, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02119 is April 19; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jamaica Plain station.

When is the first frost in Roxbury, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02119 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02119?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02119 get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jamaica Plain station).

How hot do summers get in Roxbury, MA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02119 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hollis at the center of ZIP 02119: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Roxbury, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02119 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Roxbury, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02119 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02119 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02119 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.