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

Planting zone for 02657 — Provincetown, MA

ZIP code 02657 (Provincetown, Barnstable County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 02657 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 15

First frostNov 1

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 Provincetown, 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 Provincetown, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Plymouth-Kingston, MA — 26 miles away, elevation 46 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 02657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 02657 came on Apr 10 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
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 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 Provincetown, MA.

Soil in Provincetown, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02657 is Berryland — loamy coarse sand, very poorly drained.

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

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berryland mucky loamy coarse sand, 0 to 2 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 02657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Provincetown, MA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,094base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.2 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: Plymouth-Kingston, MA (26 mi away); precipitation: Truro 0.8 E, MA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

026527b

North Truro, MA · 5 mi

026667b

Truro, MA · 10 mi

026677b

Wellfleet, MA · 13 mi

026637b

South Wellfleet, MA · 16 mi

026427b

Eastham, MA · 19 mi

026517b

North Eastham, MA · 20 mi

026417b

East Dennis, MA · 21 mi

026537b

Orleans, MA · 23 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02657

What planting zone is ZIP code 02657?

ZIP code 02657 (Provincetown, 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 Provincetown, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02657 is April 15; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plymouth-Kingston station.

When is the first frost in Provincetown, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02657 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02657 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truro 0.8 E station).

How hot do summers get in Provincetown, MA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02657 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berryland at the center of ZIP 02657: loamy coarse sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Provincetown, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02657 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Provincetown, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02657 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02657 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02657 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.