Frost dates for 03076Pelham, NH
The average last spring frost in Pelham is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 2 · May 13 · May 26 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 10 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 3 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pelham
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03076 is matched to the NOAA station Hudson 1 Sse, NH, 10.8 km away, at 185 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson 1 Sse, NH (used) | 185 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Lowell, MA | 110 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Lawrence, MA | 50 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Nashua Cwsu, NH | 180 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Pelham
- Dracut, MA 01826 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Lowell, MA 01850 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Windham, NH 03087 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Salem, NH 03079 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Hudson, NH 03051 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Methuen, MA 01844 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Tyngsboro, MA 01879 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Lawrence, MA 01841 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pelham, NH?
- For ZIP code 03076, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hudson 1 Sse, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Pelham, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03076?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.