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

Planting zone for 02655 — Osterville, MA

ZIP code 02655 (Osterville, Barnstable County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 02655 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 16
First frostOct 30
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Osterville, 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 Osterville, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Hyannis, MA — 5 miles away, elevation 59 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 02655

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 02655 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).

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.

Trees 67

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 110

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 192

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 165

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Osterville, MA.

Soil in Osterville, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02655 is Carver — slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carver coarse sand, 3 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 02655; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Osterville, MA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,518base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation51.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

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 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 30 °F 44°30° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 38 °F 54°38° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 48 °F 63°48° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 57 °F 72°57° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 64 °F 78°64° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 63 °F 77°63° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 57 °F 71°57° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 46 °F 61°46° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 37 °F 52°37° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 29 °F 44°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 MarApril: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 5.61 in precipitation 5.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hyannis, MA (5 mi away); precipitation: Barnstable 3.6 W, MA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

026357a
Cotuit, MA · 2 mi
026347a
Centerville, MA · 3 mi
026487a
Marstons Mills, MA · 3 mi
026327a
Centerville, MA · 3 mi
026727a
West Hyannisport, MA · 4 mi
026477a
Hyannis Port, MA · 4 mi
026497a
Mashpee, MA · 5 mi
026017a
Hyannis, MA · 6 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02655

What planting zone is ZIP code 02655?

ZIP code 02655 (Osterville, 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 Osterville, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02655 is April 16; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hyannis station.

When is the first frost in Osterville, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02655 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02655?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02655 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barnstable 3.6 W station).

How hot do summers get in Osterville, MA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02655 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carver at the center of ZIP 02655: slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Osterville, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02655 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 Osterville, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02655 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).