When to plant in Keene, NH
USDA Zone 5bKeene, New Hampshire frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5b means Keene sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
KEENE · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Keene’s own odds, recorded at KEENE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 9 | May 27 | May 13 | Sep 7 | Sep 21 | Oct 4 |
| 32°F | May 28 | May 14 | Apr 30 | Sep 18 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 28°F | May 16 | May 2 | Apr 21 | Sep 29 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Keene, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Keene planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Keene, NH?
Plan for the last spring frost in Keene around May 14 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Keene, NH?
The first fall frost in Keene typically arrives around October 1 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Keene in?
Keene is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Keene?
There are roughly 140 frost-free days in Keene (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around May 14 to the first fall frost near October 1.
When should I plant tomatoes in Keene?
In Keene, start tomato seeds indoors around March 19–April 2, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 21 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Keene
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Keene’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Greenfield · 45 km
- Claremont · 48 km
- Gardner · 49 km
- Fitchburg · 56 km
- Leominster · 65 km
- Amherst Town · 68 km
- Concord · 68 km
- Manchester · 70 km
Frost dates recorded at KEENE, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Keene, NH — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00274399. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-hampshire/keene.