Frost dates for 03276 — Tilton, NH
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season149 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Tilton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tilton falls between April 27 and May 20, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 15.
- The median last frost is the same as the New Hampshire median of May 7.
- Its 149-day growing season is longer than 44% 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 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 174 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Manchester, NH, 53 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Tilton, NH
Frost dates for 03276 — Tilton, NH — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 3, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tilton, NH
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Franklin Falls Dam, NH weather station, 6 km away (elevation 449 ft (137 m)).
ZIP codes in Tilton: 03276 03298 03299
Frost dates near Tilton
- Lochmere May 7 · Oct 3
- Winnisquam Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Franklin May 7 · Oct 3
- Belmont Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Sanbornton May 7 · Oct 3
- Canterbury May 14 · Sep 29
- Salisbury May 14 · Sep 29
- East Andover May 7 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tilton, NH?
The median last spring frost in Tilton, NH is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tilton, NH?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Tilton, NH?
About 149 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tilton, NH?
Tilton, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.