Annual Flower

When to Plant Nasturtiums in New Hampshire

Edible flowers that double as pest traps. Plant near vegetables to lure aphids away from your food crops.

The Short Answer

In New Hampshire, plant nasturtiums based on your regional frost dates. Northern New Hampshire has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important.

New Hampshire Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New Hampshire you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire 3b, 4a, 4b May 20 - Jun 5 Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 20 Sep 25 - Oct 10

Nasturtiums Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Southern New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Growing Nasturtiums in New Hampshire

Nasturtiums in New Hampshire's Climate

Nasturtiums add edible beauty to cold-climate gardens from June through frost. Direct sow after last frost — they grow fast in summer warmth. Plant near vegetables as companion and trap plants for aphids. The flowers and leaves have a peppery, watercress-like flavor that brightens salads.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 55°F before planting nasturtiums outside.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Nasturtiums cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. This difference matters for nasturtiums — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Both flowers and young leaves are edible with a peppery taste. Thrives in poor soil — too much nitrogen means all leaves, no flowers.

Companion Planting

Plant nasturtiums alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Cucumbers Squash Beans

The Bottom Line

Nasturtiums can be grown successfully across New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Nasturtiums Growing Guide National planting guide with all states New Hampshire Planting Calendar All plants for New Hampshire Nasturtiums in Alabama Alabama planting dates Nasturtiums in Alaska Alaska planting dates Nasturtiums in Arizona Arizona planting dates Nasturtiums in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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