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

Planting zone for 03470 — Winchester, NH

ZIP code 03470 (Winchester, Cheshire County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 03470 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 25
First frostOct 17
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 Winchester, 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 Winchester, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Tully Lake, MA — 11 miles away, elevation 679 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 03470

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 03470 came on Apr 12 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 6a in New Hampshire

486 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 99

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 171

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 142

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 7

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 creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Winchester, NH.

Soil in Winchester, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03470 is Lyman — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lyman-Tunbridge-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 03470; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winchester, NH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,887base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation48.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall73 inper year; 94 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 14 °F 33°14° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.00 in precipitation, 22.3 in snowfall 4.0❄22 JanFebruary: 3.02 in precipitation, 16.1 in snowfall 3.0❄16 FebMarch: 3.94 in precipitation, 16.3 in snowfall 3.9❄16 MarApril: 3.84 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 3.8❄2 AprMay: 4.14 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.1 MayJune: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 5.00 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.0 OctNovember: 3.73 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 3.7❄2 NovDecember: 4.71 in precipitation, 13.3 in snowfall 4.7❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tully Lake, MA (11 mi away); precipitation: Fitzwilliam 2 W, NH (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

034415b
Ashuelot, NH · 5 mi
013785b
Warwick, MA · 6 mi
034465b
Swanzey, NH · 7 mi
034695b
West Swanzey, NH · 7 mi
034515b
Hinsdale, NH · 8 mi
013605b
Northfield, MA · 8 mi
053545b
Vernon, VT · 9 mi
034626a
Spofford, NH · 9 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03470

What planting zone is ZIP code 03470?

ZIP code 03470 (Winchester, 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 Winchester, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03470 is April 25; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tully Lake station.

When is the first frost in Winchester, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03470 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03470?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03470 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year and 73 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fitzwilliam 2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Winchester, NH?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03470 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lyman at the center of ZIP 03470: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Winchester, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03470 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 Winchester, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03470 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03470 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03470 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.