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

Planting zone for 03561 — Littleton, NH

ZIP code 03561 (Littleton, Grafton County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 03561 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 24
First frostSep 18
2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Littleton, 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 Littleton, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 6
Growing season116 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Bethlehem 2, NH — 7 miles away, elevation 1,181 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 03561

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 03561 came on Apr 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

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 4b in New Hampshire

438 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 52

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 83

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 153

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 134

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 5

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 °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 Littleton, NH.

Soil in Littleton, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03561 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 03561; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Littleton, NH

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights191nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,780base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall68 inper year

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 3 °F 28°3° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 4 °F 30°4° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 14 °F 40°14° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 12 °F 33°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.17 in precipitation, 15.2 in snowfall 2.2❄15 JanFebruary: 2.18 in precipitation, 15.9 in snowfall 2.2❄16 FebMarch: 2.00 in precipitation, 11.1 in snowfall 2.0❄11 MarApril: 2.94 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 2.9❄3 AprMay: 3.76 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.8 MayJune: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.84 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.8 OctNovember: 2.98 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 3.0❄4 NovDecember: 2.93 in precipitation, 18.3 in snowfall 2.9❄18 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bethlehem 2, NH (7 mi away); precipitation: Gilman, VT (6 mi away). 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.

059044b
Gilman, VT · 7 mi
058484b
Lower Waterford, VT · 7 mi
058244b
Concord, VT · 7 mi
035984b
Whitefield, NH · 9 mi
035865a
Sugar Hill, NH · 9 mi
037714b
Monroe, NH · 10 mi
035855a
Lisbon, NH · 10 mi
058384b
East Saint Johnsbury, VT · 10 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03561

What planting zone is ZIP code 03561?

ZIP code 03561 (Littleton, NH) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Littleton, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03561 is May 24; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bethlehem 2 station.

When is the first frost in Littleton, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03561 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03561?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03561 get?

About 37.9 inches of precipitation a year and 68 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gilman station).

How hot do summers get in Littleton, NH?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03561 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 03561: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Littleton, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03561 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Littleton, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03561 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).