Frost Dates for Manchester, NH 03103
Last spring frost May 11 · First fall frost September 30 · 142 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 03103 has about 37,800 people, the largest of 5 ZIP codes in Manchester.
Moderate season: 142 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 24 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 13 (24 days).
Frost probability for 03103
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 11 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | September 30 | October 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MASSABESIC LAKE (5.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Manchester, NH
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03103 | May 11 | September 30 | 6a |
| 03104 | May 11 | September 26 | 6a |
| 03102 | May 11 | September 26 | 6a |
| 03109 | May 11 | September 26 | 6a |
| 03101 | May 11 | September 26 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 142-day season in Manchester
In Manchester (142 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 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | May 31 |
| Pepper | Mar 30 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 20. | Jul 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 25. | Jul 4 |
| Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jul 11 |
| Peas | — | Mar 16–May 25 | 205 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 16. | Jul 20 |
| Zucchini | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 25. | Jul 9 |
| Onion | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16–May 4 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 13. | Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 13. | Jul 29 |
| Radish | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 30 | 247 | overwinter: Plant Sep 30 to Oct 21; harvest the following summer. | Oct 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 6–Jun 1 | 198 | 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 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18. | Jun 12 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 27 | May 25–May 25 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 | May 4–May 18 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 4. | Jul 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 16 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 13. | Jun 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | Jun 10 |
| Okra | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18. | Jul 9 |
| Basil | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 1. | Jul 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 13–May 4 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 18. | Jul 15 |
| Celery | Mar 2 | May 18–Jun 1 | 142 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 142 available after May 18. | May 26 |
| Scallions | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Collards | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | May 26 |
| Chives | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Oregano | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 18. | — |
| Sage | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 18. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 18. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Cosmos | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jul 4 |
| Lavender | Feb 16 | May 11–May 25 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 30 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 14 |
| Melons | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | May 26 |
| Mint | — | May 11–May 25 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 121 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18. | Jun 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | May 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 11–May 25 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 24 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 107 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 18. | Jun 5 |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 107 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after May 18. | May 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 25. | Jul 9 |
| Zinnias | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jul 4 |
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: Cantaloupe (May 26), Celery (May 26), Melons (May 26), Spaghetti Squash (May 28), Tomato (May 31), Watermelon (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 1). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 10), Corn (Jun 12), Sunflowers (Jun 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 29), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 4), Cosmos (Jul 4), Cucumber (Jul 4), Zinnias (Jul 4), Broccoli (Jul 5), Nasturtiums (Jul 9), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 4), Cilantro (Aug 4), Collards (Aug 8), Scallions (Aug 8), Bok Choy (Aug 9), Lettuce (Aug 9), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 30). First frost around September 30. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 21). |
| 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 03103)?
The median last spring frost date for Manchester, NH (ZIP code 03103) 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 26; 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 30. 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 19 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 142 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 (142 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 9; both mature before Oct 7.
When do I plant garlic in Manchester?
Sep 30 to Oct 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Londonderry (ZIP 03053) has 149 frost-free days, 7 more than Manchester (ZIP 03103). See Londonderry ZIP 03053 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Bedford, NH 03110 (4.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Auburn, NH 03032 (5.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Londonderry, NH 03053 (6 mi)
- Frost dates for Goffstown, NH 03045 (7.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Merrimack, NH 03054 (7.9 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