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

Planting zone for 02643 — East Orleans, MA

ZIP code 02643 (East Orleans, Barnstable County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 02643 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 13

First frostNov 4

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East Orleans, 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 East Orleans, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Chatham Municipal Airport, MA — 6 miles away, elevation 69 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 02643

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 02643 came on Apr 3 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
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 7b in Massachusetts

563 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 7b. 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 East Orleans, MA.

Soil in East Orleans, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02643 is Ipswich — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter64%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ipswich - Pawcatuck - Matunuck complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded.

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 02643; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Orleans, MA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,567base 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)

Precipitation50.1 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: Chatham Municipal Airport, MA (6 mi away); precipitation: Orleans 3.0 S, MA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

026537b

Orleans, MA · 2 mi

026627b

South Orleans, MA · 3 mi

026507b

North Chatham, MA · 4 mi

026337b

Chatham, MA · 5 mi

026517b

North Eastham, MA · 5 mi

026697b

West Chatham, MA · 6 mi

026427b

Eastham, MA · 6 mi

026597b

South Chatham, MA · 7 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02643

What planting zone is ZIP code 02643?

ZIP code 02643 (East Orleans, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in East Orleans, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02643 is April 13; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chatham Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in East Orleans, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02643 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02643?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02643 get?

About 50.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orleans 3.0 S station).

How hot do summers get in East Orleans, MA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02643 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ipswich at the center of ZIP 02643: mucky peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in East Orleans, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02643 came on Apr 3 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Orleans, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02643 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02643 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02643 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.