Nashua Cwsu, NH Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Nashua Cwsu garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
162 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 16 Apr 29 May 11
First fall frost Oct 25 Oct 8 Sep 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 16 · first Oct 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NASHUA CWSU station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Nashua Cwsu

Computed from Nashua Cwsu's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 4 – Mar 18 May 6 – May 13
🫑 Peppers Feb 18 – Mar 4 May 13 – May 20
🥬 Lettuce Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 29
🫛 Peas Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥕 Carrots Apr 8 – Apr 29
🥦 Broccoli Mar 11 – Mar 25 Apr 8 – Apr 22
🥬 Kale Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🥒 Zucchini Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 6 – May 13
🌽 Sweet Corn May 6 – May 13
🌿 Basil Mar 18 – Apr 1 May 6 – May 13 May 13 – May 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 27 – Sep 24

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Nashua Cwsu's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Nashua Cwsu

Roughly 162 frost-free days gives Nashua Cwsu gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 29; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 8 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Nashua Cwsu, NH?

The average last spring frost in Nashua Cwsu is around Apr 29, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Nashua Cwsu, NH?

The average first fall frost in Nashua Cwsu arrives around Oct 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Nashua Cwsu?

About 162 frost-free days on average, from Apr 29 to Oct 8. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Nashua Cwsu in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.