When to plant butternut squash in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant butternut squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about May 6 in Nashua to May 21 in Keene — below are local dates for 15 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 6a | April 30 | October 11 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Nashua | 6a | April 29 | October 8 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Concord | 5b | May 8 | October 3 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Dover | 6a | May 3 | October 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Rochester | 6a | April 30 | October 9 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Keene | 5b | May 14 | October 1 | May 21 – June 4 |
| Portsmouth | 6a | May 4 | October 8 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Derry | 6a | April 30 | October 11 | May 7 – May 21 |
Butternut Squash in New Hampshire: FAQ
When can I plant butternut squash in New Hampshire?
Across New Hampshire, the time to direct-sow butternut squash spans roughly May 6 in Nashua to May 21 in Keene, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the butternut squash planting date vary across New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire publishes 15 cities with their own frost dates, so the right butternut squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does butternut squash take to grow in New Hampshire?
Butternut Squash takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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