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

Planting zone for 02571 — Wareham, MA

ZIP code 02571 (Wareham, Plymouth County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 02571 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 21
First frostOct 24
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 Wareham, 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 Wareham, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station E Wareham, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 30 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 02571

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 02571 came on Apr 10 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 Wareham, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02571 is Poquonock — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter70%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Poquonock sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony.

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 02571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wareham, MA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,713base 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)
Precipitation51.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall37 inper year; 29 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 48 °F 66°48° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 57 °F 75°57° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 64 °F 81°64° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 63 °F 80°63° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.19 in precipitation, 12.9 in snowfall 4.2❄13 JanFebruary: 3.71 in precipitation, 9.2 in snowfall 3.7❄9 FebMarch: 5.58 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 5.6❄7 MarApril: 4.56 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 4.6❄1 AprMay: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 4.45 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.5 NovDecember: 4.96 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 5.0❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: E Wareham, MA (2 mi away); precipitation: E Wareham, MA (2 mi away). 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.

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02571

What planting zone is ZIP code 02571?

ZIP code 02571 (Wareham, 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 Wareham, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02571 is April 21; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Wareham station.

When is the first frost in Wareham, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02571 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02571?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02571 get?

About 51.1 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Wareham station).

How hot do summers get in Wareham, MA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poquonock at the center of ZIP 02571: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Wareham, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02571 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wareham, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02571 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02571 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02571 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.