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

Planting zone for 02456 — New Town, MA

ZIP code 02456 (New Town, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 02456 is

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 2
First frostOct 6
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 New Town, 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 New Town, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Maynard 2, MA — within 1 mile, elevation 207 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 02456

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 02456 came on Apr 4 — 5 days earlier than 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 New Town, MA.

Soil in New Town, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02456 is Raypol — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Raypol silt loam, 0 to 5 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 02456; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Town, MA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,872base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 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)
Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 16 °F 41°16° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 60 °F 87°60° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 49 °F 78°49° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 38 °F 66°38° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 29 °F 54°29° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 OctNovember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Maynard 2, MA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Maynard 2, MA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

017036b
Framingham, MA · <1 mi
017046b
Framingham, MA · <1 mi
017056b
Framingham, MA · <1 mi
017546b
Maynard, MA · 1 mi
017206b
Acton, MA · 3 mi
017756b
Stow, MA · 3 mi
017196a
Boxborough, MA · 4 mi
017766b
Sudbury, MA · 5 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02456

What planting zone is ZIP code 02456?

ZIP code 02456 (New Town, 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 New Town, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02456 is May 2; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Maynard 2 station.

When is the first frost in New Town, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02456 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02456?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02456 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Maynard 2 station).

How hot do summers get in New Town, MA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02456 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Raypol at the center of ZIP 02456: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Town, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02456 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Town, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02456 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).