Frost dates for 03855New Durham, NH
The average last spring frost in New Durham is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 30 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 25 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 3 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Durham
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03855 is matched to the NOAA station Lakeport 2, NH, 28.6 km away, at 500 ft elevation (143 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeport 2, NH (used) | 500 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Rochester Skyhaven Ap, NH | 323 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Sanford 2 Nnw, ME | 289 ft | May 16 | Sep 30 |
| Durham 2 N, NH | 119 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near New Durham
- Alton, NH 03809 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Union, NH 03887 · last May 16, first Sep 30
- Farmington, NH 03835 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Alton Bay, NH 03810 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Milton, NH 03851 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Center Barnstead, NH 03225 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Milton Mills, NH 03852 · last May 16, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Durham, NH?
- For ZIP code 03855, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lakeport 2, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in New Durham, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03855?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.