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

Planting zone for 03217 — Ashland, NH

ZIP code 03217 (Ashland, Grafton County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 03217 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 20

First frostSep 27

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ashland, 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 Ashland, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Plymouth, NH — 4 miles away, elevation 659 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 03217

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 03217 came on Apr 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 16

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).

Native plants for zone 5b in New Hampshire

475 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Ashland, NH.

Soil in Ashland, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03217 is Tunbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Lyman-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 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 03217; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ashland, NH

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights196nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,837base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall68 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Plymouth, NH (4 mi away); precipitation: Plymouth, NH (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

032645b

Plymouth, NH · 3 mi

032455b

Holderness, NH · 4 mi

032265b

Center Harbor, NH · 7 mi

032565b

New Hampton, NH · 7 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03217

What planting zone is ZIP code 03217?

ZIP code 03217 (Ashland, NH) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Ashland, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03217 is May 20; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plymouth station.

When is the first frost in Ashland, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03217 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03217?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03217 get?

About 44.5 inches of precipitation a year and 68 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plymouth station).

How hot do summers get in Ashland, NH?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03217 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 03217: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ashland, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03217 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ashland, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03217 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03217 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03217 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.