Frost dates for 03882Effingham, NH
The average last spring frost in Effingham is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 12 · May 25 · Jun 6 | Sep 8 · Sep 21 · Oct 3 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 29 · May 10 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 31 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Effingham
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 03882 is matched to the NOAA station East Hiram, ME, 27 km away, at 528 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Hiram, ME (used) | 528 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Hollis, ME | 304 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Tamworth 4, NH | 541 ft | May 16 | Sep 26 |
| West Buxton 2 Nnw, ME | 220 ft | May 7 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Effingham
- Parsonsfield, ME 04047 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- East Wakefield, NH 03830 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Newfield, ME 04056 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Ossipee, NH 03864 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- East Parsonsfield, ME 04028 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- West Newfield, ME 04095 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Center Ossipee, NH 03814 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Freedom, NH 03836 · last May 16, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Effingham, NH?
- For ZIP code 03882, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the East Hiram, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Effingham, NH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 03882?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.