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

Planting zone for 03830 — East Wakefield, NH

ZIP code 03830 (East Wakefield, Carroll County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 03830 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 16
First frostSep 30
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East Wakefield, 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 East Wakefield, NH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Sanford 2 Nnw, ME — 15 miles away, elevation 289 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 03830

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 03830 came on Apr 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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 5b in New Hampshire

475 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Hampshire, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 96

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 167

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 141

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 6

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 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 East Wakefield, NH.

Soil in East Wakefield, NH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03830 is Woodstock — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodstock-Bice fine sandy loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.

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 03830; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Wakefield, NH

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,120base 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)
Precipitation53 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 10 °F 32°10° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 11 °F 35°11° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 20 °F 44°20° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 30 °F 57°30° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JanFebruary: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.62 in precipitation 5.6 OctNovember: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sanford 2 Nnw, ME (15 mi away); precipitation: East Wakefield 1.2 Se, NH (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

038725b
Sanbornville, NH · 4 mi
040955b
West Newfield, ME · 4 mi
040015b
Acton, ME · 6 mi
040565b
Newfield, ME · 7 mi
038645b
Ossipee, NH · 8 mi
038525b
Milton Mills, NH · 8 mi
040765b
Shapleigh, ME · 9 mi
038945b
Wolfeboro, NH · 9 mi

New Hampshire planting zones →

Questions about 03830

What planting zone is ZIP code 03830?

ZIP code 03830 (East Wakefield, 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 East Wakefield, NH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03830 is May 16; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in East Wakefield, NH?

The median first fall frost near 03830 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03830?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03830 get?

About 53 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, East Wakefield 1.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in East Wakefield, NH?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03830 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodstock at the center of ZIP 03830: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Wakefield, NH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 03830 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Wakefield, NH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03830 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03830 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03830 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.