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

Planting zone for 02720 — Fall River, MA

ZIP code 02720 (Fall River, Bristol County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 02720 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 29

First frostOct 15

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 Fall River, 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 Fall River, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station New Bedford Municipal Airport, MA — 9 miles away, elevation 79 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 02720

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 02720 came on Apr 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Apr 2

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 Fall River, MA.

Soil in Fall River, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02720 is Woodbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 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 02720; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fall River, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 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)

Precipitation49.3 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: New Bedford Municipal Airport, MA (9 mi away); precipitation: Somerset 0.4 Sse, 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.

027237a

Fall River, MA · 3 mi

027267a

Somerset, MA · 3 mi

027227a

Fall River, MA · 3 mi

027147a

Dartmouth, MA · 3 mi

027686b

Raynham Center, MA · 3 mi

027257a

Somerset, MA · 4 mi

027217a

Fall River, MA · 4 mi

027247a

Fall River, MA · 5 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Fall River → · Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02720

What planting zone is ZIP code 02720?

ZIP code 02720 (Fall River, 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 Fall River, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02720 is April 29; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Bedford Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fall River, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02720 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02720?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02720 get?

About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Somerset 0.4 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Fall River, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02720 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodbridge at the center of ZIP 02720: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Fall River, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02720 came on Apr 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fall River, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02720 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02720 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02720 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.