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

Planting zone for 03590 — North Stratford, NH

ZIP code 03590 (North Stratford, Coos County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 03590 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F
Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C
Last frostMay 19
First frostSep 29
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for North Stratford, 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 North Stratford, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season131 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station N Stratford, NH — 4 miles away, elevation 951 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 03590

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 03590 came on Apr 27 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2).

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 4a in New Hampshire

379 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 48

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 67

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 133

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 bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 119

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °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 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

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 °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 North Stratford, NH.

Soil in North Stratford, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03590 is Tunbridge — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Berkshire-Lyman complex, 8 to 15 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 03590; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Stratford, NH

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,851base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation40.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall79 inper year; 116 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 2 °F 25°2° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 2 °F 28°2° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 12 °F 31°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.55 in precipitation, 16.9 in snowfall 2.5❄17 JanFebruary: 2.24 in precipitation, 19.9 in snowfall 2.2❄20 FebMarch: 2.42 in precipitation, 13.9 in snowfall 2.4❄14 MarApril: 3.02 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 3.0❄5 AprMay: 3.70 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 MayJune: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.21 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 4.2 OctNovember: 2.92 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 2.9❄5 NovDecember: 3.04 in precipitation, 17.4 in snowfall 3.0❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N Stratford, NH (4 mi away); precipitation: N Stratford, NH (4 mi away). 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.

035894a
Mount Washington, NH · 7 mi
059054a
Guildhall, VT · 7 mi
035974a
West Stewartstown, NH · 7 mi
035824b
Groveton, NH · 11 mi
058404b
Granby, VT · 13 mi
058374b
East Haven, VT · 14 mi
035764a
Colebrook, NH · 15 mi
059034a
Canaan, VT · 15 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03590

What planting zone is ZIP code 03590?

ZIP code 03590 (North Stratford, NH) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in North Stratford, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03590 is May 19; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Stratford station.

When is the first frost in North Stratford, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03590 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 131 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03590?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03590 get?

About 40.6 inches of precipitation a year and 79 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Stratford station).

How hot do summers get in North Stratford, NH?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03590 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 03590: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in North Stratford, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03590 came on Apr 27 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Stratford, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03590 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).