Frost Dates for Manchester, NH 03102
Manchester has 5 ZIP codes. The Manchester, NH frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 11 · First fall frost September 26 · 138 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 03102 has about 34,000 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Manchester.
Moderate season: 138 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 24 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 13 (34 days).
Frost probability for 03102
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 11 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 9 | September 26 | October 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MASSABESIC LAKE (8.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 138-day season in Manchester
In Manchester (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 1 | 96 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 25. | May 27 |
| Pepper | Mar 30 | May 25–Jun 1 | 96 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 25. | Jun 1 |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 20. | Jul 25 |
| Cucumber | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 110 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 110 available after May 25. | Jun 30 |
| Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 18. | Jul 7 |
| Peas | — | Mar 16–May 25 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 16. | Jul 16 |
| Zucchini | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 25. | Jul 5 |
| Onion | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16–May 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Kale | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 13. | Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jul 25 |
| Radish | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 26 | 243 | overwinter: Plant Sep 26 to Oct 17; harvest the following summer. | Oct 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 6–Jun 1 | 194 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 18. | Jun 8 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 27 | May 25–May 25 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 25. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 | May 4–May 18 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 4. | Jul 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 16 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jun 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 25. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 96 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 96 available after May 25. | Jun 6 |
| Okra | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 18. | Jul 5 |
| Basil | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 103 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 1. | Jun 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 13–May 4 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Parsley | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 18. | Jul 11 |
| Celery | Mar 2 | May 18–Jun 1 | 138 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 138 available after May 18. | May 22 |
| Scallions | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Collards | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 25. | — |
| Chives | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Oregano | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 18. | — |
| Sage | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 18. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 18. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Cosmos | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 11. | Jun 30 |
| Lavender | Feb 16 | May 11–May 25 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 30 | May 11–May 18 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 10 |
| Melons | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 25. | — |
| Mint | — | May 11–May 25 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 117 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 117 available after May 18. | Jun 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 103 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 103 available after May 25. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 11–May 25 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 11. | Jun 20 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | Jun 1 |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | May 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 25. | Jul 5 |
| Zinnias | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 11. | Jun 30 |
Month by month in Manchester
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 16), Lavender (Feb 16), Onion (Feb 16), Rosemary (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Oregano (Mar 2), Parsley (Mar 2), Scallions (Mar 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 16), Beets (Mar 16), Dill (Mar 16), Peas (Mar 16), Radish (Mar 16), Spinach (Mar 16), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 6), Tomato (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Corn (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 13), Nasturtiums (Apr 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 13), Turnip (Apr 13), Carrots (Apr 20), Potatoes (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 13), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 13), Cabbage (Apr 13), Collards (Apr 13), Kale (Apr 13), Lettuce (Apr 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 6). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 11), Beans (May 18), Pole Beans (May 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 4), Cauliflower (May 4), Cosmos (May 11), Lavender (May 11), Marigolds (May 11), Mint (May 11), +24 more. Last frost around May 11. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 22), Tomato (May 27), Watermelon (May 27). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 1). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 1), Tomatillos (Jun 1), Eggplant (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 8), Sunflowers (Jun 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 25), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jul 1), Nasturtiums (Jul 5), Okra (Jul 5), Yellow Squash (Jul 5), Zucchini (Jul 5), Cauliflower (Jul 6), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 4), Scallions (Aug 4), Bok Choy (Aug 5), Lettuce (Aug 5), Kale (Aug 9), Kohlrabi (Aug 9), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 26). First frost around September 26. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 17). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Manchester, NH (ZIP 03102)?
The median last spring frost date for Manchester, NH (ZIP code 03102) is around May 11. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 28; one in ten it runs past May 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Manchester, NH?
The median first fall frost date for Manchester, NH is around September 26. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Manchester, NH?
The frost-free growing season in Manchester is about 138 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Manchester (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Manchester, NH?
Manchester, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Manchester, NH?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 6 and plant out May 25 in Manchester. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Manchester?
Two: plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3.
When do I plant garlic in Manchester?
Sep 26 to Oct 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Goffstown, NH 03045 (4.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Manchester, NH 03103 (4.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Bedford, NH 03110 (5 mi)
- Frost dates for Hooksett, NH 03106 (5.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Auburn, NH 03032 (7.5 mi)
- When to plant in Manchester, NH: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in NH
- When to plant Peppers in NH
- When to plant Cucumbers in NH
- When to plant Zucchini in NH
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NH
- When to plant Basil in NH
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NH
- Look up another ZIP