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

Planting zone for 03222 — Bristol, NH

ZIP code 03222 (Bristol, Grafton County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 03222 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 21
First frostSep 26
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 Bristol, 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 Bristol, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Grafton, NH — 9 miles away, elevation 830 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 03222

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 03222 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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.

Trees 53

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 96

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 167

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 141

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Bristol, NH.

Soil in Bristol, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03222 is Becket — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Becket-Skerry association, 0 to 15 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 03222; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bristol, NH

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights199nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,846base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation53.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 7 °F 29°7° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 7 °F 32°7° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 28 °F 54°28° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 15 °F 34°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 5.90 in precipitation 5.9 OctNovember: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grafton, NH (9 mi away); precipitation: Alexandria 4, NH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

032415b
Hebron, NH · 5 mi
032435b
Hill, NH · 8 mi
032645b
Plymouth, NH · 8 mi
032565b
New Hampton, NH · 8 mi
032305a
Danbury, NH · 9 mi
032405a
Grafton, NH · 9 mi
032175b
Ashland, NH · 10 mi
032665a
Rumney, NH · 11 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03222

What planting zone is ZIP code 03222?

ZIP code 03222 (Bristol, 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 Bristol, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03222 is May 21; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grafton station.

When is the first frost in Bristol, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03222 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03222?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03222 get?

About 53.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alexandria 4 station).

How hot do summers get in Bristol, 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 03222 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Becket at the center of ZIP 03222: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bristol, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03222 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bristol, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03222 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03222 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03222 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.