Frost dates for 03217Ashland, NH
The average last spring frost in Ashland is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 128 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 128 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 17 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 1 · Sep 15 · Sep 28 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 20 · Jun 4 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 7 | 128 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ashland
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 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03217 is matched to the NOAA station Plymouth, NH, 9.4 km away, at 660 ft elevation (373 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth, NH (used) | 660 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| Meredith 3 Nne, NH | 861 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Lakeport 2, NH | 500 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| E Sandwich, NH | 692 ft | May 6 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Ashland
- Holderness, NH 03245 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Plymouth, NH 03264 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- New Hampton, NH 03256 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Center Harbor, NH 03226 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Meredith, NH 03253 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Bristol, NH 03222 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Campton, NH 03223 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Sanbornton, NH 03269 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ashland, NH?
- For ZIP code 03217, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plymouth, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Ashland, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03217?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 128 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.