Durham 2 SSW, NH Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Durham 2 SSW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
150 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 25 May 7 May 19
First fall frost Oct 21 Oct 4 Sep 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 24 · first Oct 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DURHAM 2 SSW 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 Durham 2 SSW

Computed from Durham 2 SSW'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 12 – Mar 26 May 14 – May 21
🫑 Peppers Feb 26 – Mar 12 May 21 – May 28
🥬 Lettuce Mar 26 – Apr 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23 Apr 9 – May 7
🫛 Peas Mar 26 – Apr 9
🥕 Carrots Apr 16 – May 7
🥦 Broccoli Mar 19 – Apr 2 Apr 16 – Apr 30
🥬 Kale Mar 26 – Apr 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23 Apr 9 – Apr 23
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 9 – Apr 16 May 14 – May 21 May 14 – May 21
🥒 Zucchini Apr 9 – Apr 16 May 14 – May 21 May 14 – May 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 14 – May 21
🌽 Sweet Corn May 14 – May 21
🌿 Basil Mar 26 – Apr 9 May 14 – May 21 May 21 – May 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 23 – Sep 20

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 Durham 2 SSW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Durham 2 SSW

Roughly 150 frost-free days gives Durham 2 SSW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 7; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 4 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Durham 2 SSW, NH?

The average last spring frost in Durham 2 SSW is around May 7, 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 Durham 2 SSW, NH?

The average first fall frost in Durham 2 SSW arrives around Oct 4. 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 Durham 2 SSW?

About 150 frost-free days on average, from May 7 to Oct 4. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Durham 2 SSW 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.