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

Planting zone for 02561 — Sagamore, MA

ZIP code 02561 (Sagamore, Barnstable County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 02561 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 26

First frostOct 26

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 Sagamore, 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 Sagamore, 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 26median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station E Sandwich, MA — 5 miles away, elevation 151 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 02561

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 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 02561 came on Apr 10 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 10

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.

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 Sagamore, MA.

Soil in Sagamore, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02561 is Plymouth — loamy coarse sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy coarse sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plymouth-Barnstable complex, hilly, very bouldery.

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 02561; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sagamore, MA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,396base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation49.8 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: E Sandwich, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Sagamore Beach 1.0 Nw, MA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

025627a

Sagamore Beach, MA · 1 mi

025637a

Sandwich, MA · 2 mi

025327a

Buzzards Bay, MA · 3 mi

025427a

Buzzards Bay, MA · 4 mi

025387a

East Wareham, MA · 6 mi

025377a

East Sandwich, MA · 6 mi

026447a

Forestdale, MA · 6 mi

025537a

Monument Beach, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02561

What planting zone is ZIP code 02561?

ZIP code 02561 (Sagamore, 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 Sagamore, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02561 is April 26; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Sandwich station.

When is the first frost in Sagamore, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02561 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02561?

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 02561 get?

About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sagamore Beach 1.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Sagamore, MA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02561 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plymouth at the center of ZIP 02561: loamy coarse sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sagamore, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02561 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sagamore, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02561 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02561 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02561 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.