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

Planting zone for 03770 — Meriden, NH

ZIP code 03770 (Meriden, Sullivan County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 03770 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 6

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Meriden, 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 Meriden, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Lebanon Municipal Airport, NH — 7 miles away, elevation 597 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 03770

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 03770 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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 5a in New Hampshire

467 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Meriden, NH.

Soil in Meriden, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03770 is Kearsarge — silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kearsarge-Cardigan-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 50 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 03770; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meriden, NH

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,364base 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)

Precipitation38.1 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: Lebanon Municipal Airport, NH (7 mi away); precipitation: Lebanon Municipal Airport, NH (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

037465a

Cornish Flat, NH · 3 mi

037815a

Plainfield, NH · 3 mi

North Hartland, VT · 7 mi

037665a

Lebanon, NH · 7 mi

037845a

West Lebanon, NH · 8 mi

050495a

Hartland Four Corners, VT · 8 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03770

What planting zone is ZIP code 03770?

ZIP code 03770 (Meriden, NH) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Meriden, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03770 is May 9; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lebanon Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Meriden, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03770 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03770?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03770 get?

About 38.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lebanon Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Meriden, NH?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03770 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kearsarge at the center of ZIP 03770: silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Meriden, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03770 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meriden, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03770 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03770 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03770 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.