Frost dates for 03043Francestown, NH
The average last spring frost in Francestown is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 7 · May 21 · Jun 5 | Sep 15 · Sep 26 · Oct 6 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 25 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Francestown
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03043 is matched to the NOAA station Weare 2 Ne, NH, 12.7 km away, at 805 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weare 2 Ne, NH (used) | 805 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
| Weare, NH | 720 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Milford, NH | 320 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| Hopkinton Lake, NH | 430 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Francestown
- Greenfield, NH 03047 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Bennington, NH 03442 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- New Boston, NH 03070 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Lyndeborough, NH 03082 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Weare, NH 03281 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Antrim, NH 03440 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Hancock, NH 03449 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- West Peterborough, NH 03468 · last May 5, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Francestown, NH?
- For ZIP code 03043, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Weare 2 Ne, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Francestown, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03043?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.