Frost dates for 03235Franklin, NH
The average last spring frost in Franklin is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 6 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 27 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03235 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin Falls Dam, NH, 3.1 km away, at 450 ft elevation (178 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Falls Dam, NH (used) | 450 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Salisbury, NH | 550 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Lakeport 2, NH | 500 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Grafton, NH | 830 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- Salisbury, NH 03268 · last May 14, first Sep 29
- Tilton, NH 03276 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- East Andover, NH 03231 · last May 14, first Sep 29
- Lochmere, NH 03252 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Andover, NH 03216 · last May 14, first Sep 29
- Hill, NH 03243 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Winnisquam, NH 03289 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Canterbury, NH 03224 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, NH?
- For ZIP code 03235, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin Falls Dam, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03235?
- 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.