Frost dates for 03608Walpole, NH
The average last spring frost in Walpole is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 6 · May 21 · Jun 6 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 20 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Walpole
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03608 is matched to the NOAA station Walpole 2S Nepp, NH, 5 km away, at 604 ft elevation (108 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walpole 2S Nepp, NH (used) | 604 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
| Keene, NH | 511 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
| N Springfield Lake, VT | 560 ft | May 9 | Oct 2 |
| Springfield Hartness Ap, VT | 578 ft | May 13 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Walpole
- Westminster Station, VT 05159 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Westminster, VT 05158 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Drewsville, NH 03604 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- North Walpole, NH 03609 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Bellows Falls, VT 05101 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Alstead, NH 03602 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Putney, VT 05346 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Saxtons River, VT 05154 · last May 13, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Walpole, NH?
- For ZIP code 03608, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Walpole 2S Nepp, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Walpole, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03608?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.