Fall in zone 4bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 03561 (Littleton, 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, Bethlehem 2, NH (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)116 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4b-25 to -20°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
46°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 45°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Hubbard Brook (27 mi), Mount Mansfield (53 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°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 Hubbard Brook (27 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 03561 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°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) | May 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 8 |
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 6 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 5 | Sep 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 24 | Sep 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 7 | Sep 30 |
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 03561
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 18). 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 29–Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 15–29 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 15–29 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 29–Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 29–Apr 12 | May 3–24 (transplant) Apr 26–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) Jul 10–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) Jun 12–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 24 (transplant) Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) Jun 12–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 15–29 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 15–29 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15–29 | May 10–24 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 1–15 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | May 29–Jun 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 12–26 | May 10–31 (transplant) May 10–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 19–May 31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 29–Apr 26 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 1–15 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 12–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 1–15 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 14–Jul 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 12–26 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 1–15 | May 31–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 12–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 10–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 15–29 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (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: Bethlehem 2, NH (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00270706), elevation 1,180 ft, 7.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Johnsbury, VT | 12 mi | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| Saint Johnsbury, VT | 12 mi | May 10 | Oct 3 |
| Whitefield Mt Washington AP, NH | 12 mi | May 27 | Sep 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 03561
When is the last frost in 03561?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 03561 is May 24. For a more cautious planting date, use June 8, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 03561?
The average first fall freeze is September 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 6.
What hardiness zone is 03561?
ZIP 03561 is in USDA zone 4b (-25 to -20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 03561 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
05904 Gilman 05824 Concord 03598 Whitefield 03586 03771 03585 Lisbon 05819 St. Johnsbury 05906 Lunenburg
Other ZIP codes in Grafton County
03215 03217 03222 03223 03238 03240 03241 03245 03251 03262 03264 03266 03279 03282 03285 03293 03574 03580 03585 03586 03740 03741 03748 03750 All Grafton County frost dates · New Hampshire frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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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.