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

Planting zone for 03110 — Bedford, NH

ZIP code 03110 (Bedford, Hillsborough) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 03110 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 21
First frostOct 19
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Manchester Airport, NH — 5 miles away, elevation 226 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 03110

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 03110 came on Apr 11 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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 Bedford, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03110 is Freetown — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Freetown mucky peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

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 03110; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bedford, NH

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,943base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 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)
Precipitation40.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 33 °F 50°33° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manchester Airport, NH (5 mi away); precipitation: Manchester Airport, NH (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

031036a
Manchester, NH · 5 mi
031016a
Manchester, NH · 5 mi
030316a
Amherst, NH · 5 mi
031026a
Manchester, NH · 6 mi
030546a
Merrimack, NH · 6 mi
031056a
Manchester, NH · 6 mi
031086a
Manchester, NH · 6 mi
031116a
Manchester, NH · 6 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03110

What planting zone is ZIP code 03110?

ZIP code 03110 (Bedford, 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 Bedford, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03110 is April 21; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manchester Airport station.

When is the first frost in Bedford, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03110 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03110?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03110 get?

About 40.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manchester Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Bedford, NH?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03110 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Freetown at the center of ZIP 03110: mucky peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Bedford, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03110 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bedford, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03110 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03110 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03110 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.