Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 03223 (Grafton County, NH)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Plymouth, NH (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)128 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 03223, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
46°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 45°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Hubbard Brook, 7 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 48°, Fri 47°, Sat 46°.
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Hubbard Brook, 7 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 50°, Fri 49°, Sat 48°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 03223 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 4 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 31 | Sep 15 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 7 | Oct 6 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 03223
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 27). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 11–25 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 11–25 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 20 (transplant) Apr 22–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 20 (transplant) Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 11–25 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 11–25 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 8–22 | May 6–27 (transplant) May 6–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 29–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 15–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 10–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 22–29 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 22–29 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 8–22 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 8–22 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 6–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Plymouth, NH (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00276945), elevation 660 ft, 5.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterville Valley Nepp, NH | 11 mi | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Wentworth, NH | 12 mi | May 12 | Oct 6 |
| Lincoln Nepp, NH | 13 mi | May 7 | Oct 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 03223
When is the last frost in 03223?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 03223 is May 20. For a more cautious planting date, use June 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 03223?
The average first fall freeze is September 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 14.
What hardiness zone is 03223?
ZIP 03223 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 03223 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
03285 03264 Plymouth 03245 03293 03217 Ashland 03259 03262 North Woodstock 03266
Other ZIP codes in Grafton County
03215 03217 03222 03238 03240 03241 03245 03251 03262 03264 03266 03279 03282 03285 03293 03561 03574 03580 03585 03586 03740 03741 03748 03750 All Grafton County frost dates · New Hampshire frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.