When is the last frost in Manchester, NH?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Manchester is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 6.

When is the first frost in Manchester?

The average first fall frost in Manchester is October 19, with a growing season of about 180 days.

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Manchester, New Hampshire frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 21. Average first fall frost: October 19. That gives a growing season of about 180 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 6, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 21

1-in-10 risk after May 6

First frost (50%)

Oct 19

1-in-10 risk before Oct 4

Growing season

180 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 7

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 8	November 4
70%	April 16	October 26
50%	April 21	October 19
30%	April 27	October 13
10%	May 6	October 4

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 6. These are NOAA probabilities for the Manchester Airport weather station (USW00014710, elevation 69 m), 1991–2020.

Manchester vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 21). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 6) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 31	Apr 28 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 10	Mar 24
Brussels sprouts	Feb 10	Mar 24
Cabbage	Feb 3	Mar 17
Cauliflower	Feb 24	Apr 7
Sweet corn	Mar 24	Apr 21 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 7	Apr 28
Kale	Feb 3	Mar 17
Leeks	Jan 6	Mar 17
Lettuce	Mar 3	Apr 7
Melons	Apr 14	May 5
Onions	Dec 30	Mar 10 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 24	Mar 24 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 10	May 5
Squash	Apr 14	May 5
Tomatoes	Feb 24	Apr 21

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 19. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 4. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 1.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Boston, MA	Apr 4	Nov 9	~72 km
Worcester, MA	Apr 23	Oct 21	~82 km
Portland, ME	Apr 26	Oct 15	~122 km
Providence, RI	Apr 11	Oct 30	~134 km
Hartford, CT	Apr 21	Oct 16	~150 km
Albany, NY	Apr 27	Oct 15	~194 km

More: all New Hampshire frost dates