Plaistow, NH frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Plaistow compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Plaistow falls between April 20 and May 14, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the New Hampshire median of May 7.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 252 New Hampshire places with a regular frost season (state median 150 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Plaistow shares its weather station with Haverhill, MA, 7 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Plaistow, NH
Plaistow, NH frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Plaistow, NH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Haverhill, MA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Plaistow
- Newton Junction May 1 · Oct 12
- Atkinson Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Newton May 1 · Oct 12
- East Hampstead Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Hampstead Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Kingston Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Danville Apr 30 · Oct 11
- North Salem Apr 30 · Oct 11
- East Kingston May 7 · Oct 4
- Salem Apr 13 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Plaistow, NH?
The median last spring frost in Plaistow, NH is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Plaistow, NH?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Plaistow, NH?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Plaistow, NH?
Plaistow, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.