Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 03229 (Contoocook, 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, Hopkinton Lake, NH (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)146 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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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
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 SSW (38 mi), Durham 2 N (39 mi), Hubbard Brook (52 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 SSW (38 mi), Durham 2 N (39 mi), Hubbard Brook (52 mi).
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 03229 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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) | Apr 27 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 20 |
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 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 13 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 27 | Oct 11 |
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 03229
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 1). 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 11–25 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 11–25 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 11–25 | Apr 15–May 6 (transplant) Apr 8–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 25–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–May 6 (transplant) Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 11–Jul 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 13 (transplant) Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 1–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 11–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 27–Jun 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 8–15 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 8–15 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 11–25 | May 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (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: Hopkinton Lake, NH (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00274218), elevation 430 ft, 2.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weare 2 NE, NH | 8 mi | May 9 | Oct 5 |
| Weare, NH | 8 mi | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Concord Muni AP, NH | 10 mi | May 8 | Oct 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 03229
When is the last frost in 03229?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 03229 is May 6. For a more cautious planting date, use May 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 03229?
The average first fall freeze is October 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 20.
What hardiness zone is 03229?
ZIP 03229 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 03229 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
03242 Henniker 03301 Concord 03046 03303 Concord 03281 03304 03278 Warner 03244 Hillsborough
Other ZIP codes in Merrimack County
03046 03106 03216 03221 03224 03230 03231 03233 03234 03235 03242 03243 03255 03257 03258 03260 03263 03268 03273 03275 03276 03278 03287 03301 All Merrimack County frost dates · New Hampshire frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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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.