Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 03034 — Candia, NH

ZIP code 03034 (Candia, Rockingham County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 03034 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 11

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Candia, NH…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Candia, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Massabesic Lake, NH — 6 miles away, elevation 253 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 03034

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 11) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 03034 came on Apr 12 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 12

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Candia, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03034 is Walpole — very fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Walpole very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 03034; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Candia, NH

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights161nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,496base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation42.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall53 inper year; 71 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Massabesic Lake, NH (6 mi away); precipitation: Massabesic Lake, NH (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

030326a

Auburn, NH · 5 mi

030406a

East Candia, NH · 5 mi

031066a

Hooksett, NH · 6 mi

031046a

Manchester, NH · 6 mi

Manchester, NH · 7 mi

030776a

Raymond, NH · 7 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03034

What planting zone is ZIP code 03034?

ZIP code 03034 (Candia, NH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Candia, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03034 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Massabesic Lake station.

When is the first frost in Candia, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03034 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03034?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03034 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year and 53 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Massabesic Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Candia, NH?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03034 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Walpole at the center of ZIP 03034: very fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Candia, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03034 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Candia, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03034 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03034 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03034 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.