When to plant winter squash in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant winter 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 |
Winter Squash in New Hampshire: FAQ
When can I plant winter squash in New Hampshire?
Across New Hampshire, the time to direct-sow winter squash spans roughly May 6 in Nashua to May 21 in Keene, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the winter squash planting date vary across New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire publishes 15 cities with their own frost dates, so the right winter 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 winter squash take to grow in New Hampshire?
Winter Squash takes about 85–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.