When to Plant Peppers in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 13 – May 27 in Nashua to Jun 6 – Jun 20 in Berlin. In Manchester, it's May 14 – May 28. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 29 in Nashua, May 23 in Berlin), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in New Hampshire by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 4b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 |
| Claremont | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Concord | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Dover | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Franklin | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Keene | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Laconia | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Lebanon | 5a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Manchester | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Nashua | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Portsmouth | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Rochester | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Somersworth | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in New Hampshire, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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