Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 02468 — Waban, MA

ZIP code 02468 (Waban, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 02468 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 19

First frostOct 23

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 Waban, 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 Waban, 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 — 6 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 02468

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 02468 came on Apr 3 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
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 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.

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 Waban, MA.

Soil in Waban, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02468 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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Merrimac-Urban land complex, 0 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 02468; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waban, 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jamaica Plain, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: Jamaica Plain, MA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

024626b

Newton Lower Falls, MA · 1 mi

024646b

Newton Upper Falls, MA · 1 mi

024666b

Auburndale, MA · 1 mi

024656b

West Newton, MA · 1 mi

024616b

Newton Highlands, MA · 2 mi

024606b

Newtonville, MA · 2 mi

024946b

Needham Heights, MA · 2 mi

024546b

Waltham, MA · 2 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02468

What planting zone is ZIP code 02468?

ZIP code 02468 (Waban, 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 Waban, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02468 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 Waban, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02468 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02468?

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 02468 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Waban, 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 02468 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Merrimac at the center of ZIP 02468: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waban, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02468 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waban, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02468 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).