Frost dates for 03226Center Harbor, NH
The average last spring frost in Center Harbor is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 29 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 13 · Apr 25 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Center Harbor
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03226 is matched to the NOAA station Meredith 3 Nne, NH, 2 km away, at 861 ft elevation (28 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith 3 Nne, NH (used) | 861 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| E Sandwich, NH | 692 ft | May 6 | Oct 6 |
| Plymouth, NH | 660 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| Lakeport 2, NH | 500 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Center Harbor
- Moultonborough, NH 03254 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Meredith, NH 03253 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Holderness, NH 03245 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Ashland, NH 03217 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Center Sandwich, NH 03227 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Laconia, NH 03247 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Melvin Village, NH 03850 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- New Hampton, NH 03256 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Center Harbor, NH?
- For ZIP code 03226, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meredith 3 Nne, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Center Harbor, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03226?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.