Frost dates for 03251Lincoln, NH
The average last spring frost in Lincoln is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 15 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 2 · Sep 17 · Sep 30 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 15 · Jun 3 | Sep 12 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lincoln
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03251 is matched to the NOAA station Benton 5 Sw, NH, 22.2 km away, at 1,200 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton 5 Sw, NH (used) | 1,200 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Lincoln Nepp, NH | 807 ft | May 7 | Oct 4 |
| Waterville Valley Nepp, NH | 1,429 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Bethlehem 2, NH | 1,180 ft | May 24 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Lincoln
- North Woodstock, NH 03262 · last May 7, first Oct 4
- Woodstock, NH 03293 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Thornton, NH 03285 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Franconia, NH 03580 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Waterville Valley, NH 03215 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Glencliff, NH 03238 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Sugar Hill, NH 03586 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Warren, NH 03279 · last May 15, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lincoln, NH?
- For ZIP code 03251, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Benton 5 Sw, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in Lincoln, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03251?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.