Salem, NH frost dates
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season198 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 1 and April 29, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 24 days earlier than the New Hampshire median of May 7.
- Its 198-day growing season is among the longest of the 252 New Hampshire places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 16 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Salem shares its weather station with Methuen, MA, 7 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Salem, NH
Salem, NH frost dates — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 28, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, NH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Lawrence, MA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 49 ft (15 m)).
Frost dates near Salem
- North Salem Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Atkinson Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Windham May 3 · Oct 8
- Pelham May 3 · Oct 8
- Hampstead Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Plaistow May 1 · Oct 12
- Derry Apr 30 · Oct 11
- East Hampstead Apr 30 · Oct 11
- East Derry Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Londonderry Apr 21 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, NH?
The median last spring frost in Salem, NH is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, NH?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Salem, NH?
About 198 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, NH?
Salem, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.