Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 03860 (North Conway, 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, N Conway, NH (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)150 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°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
47°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Hubbard Brook (31 mi), Durham 2 N (61 mi).
4-inch depth
49°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 48°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Hubbard Brook (31 mi), Durham 2 N (61 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 03860 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 49°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) | Apr 27 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 7 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 19 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 20 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 18 | Sep 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 7 | Oct 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
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 03860
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 5). 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 12–26 | May 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 26–Mar 12 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 26–Mar 12 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 12–26 | May 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 12–26 | Apr 16–May 7 (transplant) Apr 9–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–31 (transplant) Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–31 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) Jun 29–Jul 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 12–26 | Apr 9–May 7 (transplant) Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) Jun 29–Jul 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 15–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 14 (transplant) Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 2–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 12–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 28–Jun 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 9–16 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 9–16 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 9–16 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 9–16 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 9–16 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 12–26 | May 14–21 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (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: N Conway, NH (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00275995), elevation 522 ft, 1.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fryeburg E Slopes AP, ME | 9 mi | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| Tamworth 4, NH | 14 mi | May 16 | Sep 26 |
| Pinkham Notch, NH | 16 mi | May 18 | Oct 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 03860
When is the last frost in 03860?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 03860 is May 7. For a more cautious planting date, use May 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 03860?
The average first fall freeze is October 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 23.
What hardiness zone is 03860?
ZIP 03860 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 03860 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
03847 North Conway 03845 03813 03838 03812 Bartlett 03818 Conway 04037 Fryeburg 03832
Other ZIP codes in Carroll County
03227 03254 03259 03812 03813 03814 03816 03817 03818 03830 03832 03836 03838 03845 03846 03847 03849 03850 03853 03864 03872 03875 03882 03883 All Carroll County frost dates · New Hampshire frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.