Plainfield, NH frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season150 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Plainfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Plainfield falls between April 27 and May 24, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the New Hampshire median of May 7.
- Its 150-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 252 New Hampshire places with a regular frost season (state median 150 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Manchester, NH, 91 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Plainfield, NH
Plainfield, NH frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 6, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Plainfield, NH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Lebanon Muni Ap, NH weather station, 9 km away (elevation 597 ft (182 m)).
Frost dates near Plainfield
- Meriden May 8 · Oct 6
- Cornish Flat May 8 · Oct 6
- Cornish May 8 · Oct 6
- Lebanon May 9 · Oct 6
- West Lebanon May 9 · Oct 6
- Grantham May 14 · Oct 1
- Enfield May 9 · Oct 6
- Enfield Center May 21 · Sep 26
- Hanover May 1 · Oct 13
- Etna May 1 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Plainfield, NH?
The median last spring frost in Plainfield, NH is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Plainfield, NH?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Plainfield, NH?
About 150 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Plainfield, NH?
Plainfield, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.