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

Planting zone for 02481 — Wellesley Hills, MA

ZIP code 02481 (Wellesley Hills, Norfolk County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 02481 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 26
First frostOct 12
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 Wellesley Hills, 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 Wellesley Hills, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Natick, MA — 4 miles away, elevation 180 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 02481

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 02481 came on Apr 3 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 Wellesley Hills, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02481 is Charlton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Charlton-Hollis-Urban land complex, 3 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 02481; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wellesley Hills, MA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,568base 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)
Precipitation47.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall46 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 18 °F 35°18° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.37 in precipitation, 13.8 in snowfall 3.4❄14 JanFebruary: 3.07 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 3.1❄9 FebMarch: 3.95 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 4.0❄8 MarApril: 4.07 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 4.1❄2 AprMay: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 3.74 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 3.7❄1 NovDecember: 4.43 in precipitation, 11.5 in snowfall 4.4❄12 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Natick, MA (4 mi away); precipitation: Natick, MA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

024576b
Babson Park, MA · <1 mi
024826b
Wellesley, MA · 2 mi
024626b
Newton Lower Falls, MA · 2 mi
024946b
Needham Heights, MA · 2 mi
024686b
Waban, MA · 3 mi
024666b
Auburndale, MA · 3 mi
024926b
Needham, MA · 3 mi
024646b
Newton Upper Falls, MA · 3 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02481

What planting zone is ZIP code 02481?

ZIP code 02481 (Wellesley Hills, 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 Wellesley Hills, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02481 is April 26; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Natick station.

When is the first frost in Wellesley Hills, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02481 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02481?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02481 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Natick station).

How hot do summers get in Wellesley Hills, MA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02481 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 02481: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wellesley Hills, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02481 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wellesley Hills, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02481 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).