Frost dates for 03784West Lebanon, NH
The average last spring frost in West Lebanon is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Lebanon
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03784 is matched to the NOAA station Lebanon Muni Ap, NH, 2 km away, at 598 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon Muni Ap, NH (used) | 598 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| N Hartland Lake, VT | 570 ft | May 8 | Oct 6 |
| Hanover, NH | 584 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
| Woodstock, VT | 600 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near West Lebanon
- White River Junction, VT 05009 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Wilder, VT 05088 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Lebanon, NH 03756 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Hartford, VT 05047 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- North Hartland, VT 05052 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Hanover, NH 03755 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Quechee, VT 05059 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Etna, NH 03750 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Lebanon, NH?
- For ZIP code 03784, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lebanon Muni Ap, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in West Lebanon, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03784?
- 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.