Frost dates for 03060Nashua, NH
The average last spring frost in Nashua is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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) | Apr 30 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · Apr 29 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nashua
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03060 is matched to the NOAA station Nashua 2 Nnw, NH, 3.9 km away, at 135 ft elevation (19 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua 2 Nnw, NH (used) | 135 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Nashua Cwsu, NH | 180 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 8 |
| Hudson 1 Sse, NH | 185 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| E Milford, NH | 240 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Nashua
- Nashua, NH 03061 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Hudson, NH 03051 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Hollis, NH 03049 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Dunstable, MA 01827 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Litchfield, NH 03052 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Tyngsboro, MA 01879 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Merrimack, NH 03054 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Pelham, NH 03076 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nashua, NH?
- For ZIP code 03060, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nashua 2 Nnw, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Nashua, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03060?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.