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

Planting zone for 03263 — Pittsfield, NH

ZIP code 03263 (Pittsfield, Merrimack County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 03263 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 8

First frostOct 3

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Pittsfield, 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 Pittsfield, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Concord Municipal Airport, NH — 12 miles away, elevation 348 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 03263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 03263 came on Apr 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 15

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 Pittsfield, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03263 is Chatfield — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chatfield-Montauk-Hollis complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 03263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pittsfield, NH

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,472base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Concord Municipal Airport, NH (12 mi away); precipitation: Pittsfield 0.2 Ssw, NH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

032185b

Barnstead, NH · 4 mi

032585b

Chichester, NH · 5 mi

032345b

Epsom, NH · 6 mi

032255b

Center Barnstead, NH · 6 mi

Gilmanton Iron Works, NH · 9 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03263

What planting zone is ZIP code 03263?

ZIP code 03263 (Pittsfield, 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 Pittsfield, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03263 is May 8; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Concord Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Pittsfield, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03263 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 146 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03263 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pittsfield 0.2 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Pittsfield, NH?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03263 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chatfield at the center of ZIP 03263: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Pittsfield, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03263 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pittsfield, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03263 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).