Planting calendar for Manchester, New Hampshire

Dates from 30 years of records at the Massabesic Lake weather station, 3.1 miles from Manchester, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Manchester at a glance

Weather station: Massabesic Lake · 3.1 mi
USDA zone: 6a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 30; 1 year in 10 after May 14
First fall frost: typically Oct 11; 1 year in 10 before Sep 30
Frost-free season: about 164 days
Hottest month: July: highs 81°F, nights 61°F
Coldest month: January: highs 32°F, nights 13°F
Rain: 43 in. a year, most in June, September and October

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Manchester typically comes around Apr 30, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 14. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 11. That leaves about 164 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 81°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Apr 6–24, Jul 16–Aug 24.

Manchester gets about 43 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, September and October.

146 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 28 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Manchester, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Parsley, Snapdragon, Stock

March9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Fava bean, Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Catnip, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

April58

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Chervil, Cilantro, Lemon balm, Coreopsis (tickseed)

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon

May41

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Catnip, Epazote, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Strawberry

Flowers: Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Winter savory, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower

June61

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Bean (bush snap), Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (romaine & head), New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Larkspur, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July65

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Ground cherry, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet pea (flower)

August30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

September5

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garden cress, Garlic, Radish, Spinach

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

Every crop that grows in Manchester

146 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Jun 6–20, Jul 24–Aug 12	Jun 21–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 22–Jul 12	Jun 4–21	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 16–30	May 1–28	Feb 12–26	Set out plants
Arugula	Apr 6–May 2, Jul 22–Sep 3	Mar 19–Apr 5, May 3–Jun 1, Jun 30–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Apr 2–25	Apr 26–May 28	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 20–Jun 3, Jul 6–27	Jun 4–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 20–Jun 22	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Jun 6–27	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 26–Jul 17	Jun 4–25	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Apr 2–23, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 24–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 24–Jul 15	Jun 4–23	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 13–Aug 5	Apr 16–May 2, Jun 22–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Apr 2–16, Jul 15–Aug 4	Apr 17–Jul 14	Feb 19–Mar 5, Jun 3–23	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Apr 3–19, Jul 19–Aug 22	Apr 2, Apr 20–May 12, Jun 21–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Apr 2–16, Jun 26–Jul 17	Apr 17–Jun 25	Feb 19–Mar 5, May 15–Jun 5	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 2–23	Apr 10–Jul 1	Feb 12–26, May 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–29	Feb 26–Mar 12	Set out plants
Carrot	Apr 9–30, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 1–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Apr 9–23, Jul 1–21	Apr 24–Jun 30	Feb 26–Mar 12, May 20–Jun 9	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 20–May 4, May 28–Jun 18	May 5–27	Feb 2–16, Mar 12–Apr 2	Set out plants
Celery	May 4–18, May 24–Jun 14	—	Feb 16–Mar 2, Mar 8–29	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Apr 9–30, Jul 20–Aug 9	May 1–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Apr 2–16, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 17–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 29–Jul 20	Jun 4–28	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 27–Jul 17	Jun 4–26	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Apr 9–23, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 24–May 28, Jun 15–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Jun 6–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Jun 6–Jul 2	—	Apr 4–30	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 20–Oct 25	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Apr 9–23, Jun 14–Jul 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 24–Apr 5, Jun 23–Jul 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 16–30, Jun 23–Jul 14	May 1–22, Jun 5–22	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 18–May 16, Aug 10–Sep 7	Apr 16–17, May 17–Jun 16, Jul 16–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 20–Oct 25	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–May 28	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 19–Apr 9, Aug 8–28	Apr 10–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Apr 2–16, Jul 30–Aug 19	Apr 17–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jun 29–Aug 27	Apr 30–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Apr 2–16, Jun 16–Jul 7	Apr 17–Jun 15	Jan 29–Feb 12, Apr 14–May 5	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Apr 6–24, Jul 16–Aug 24	Apr 2–5, Apr 25–May 25, Jun 22–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 4–Aug 7	Apr 9–May 3, Jun 12–Jul 3	May 30–Jul 3	Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)	Aug 12–Sep 5	Apr 2–16, Jul 19–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Apr 3–26, Jul 24–Sep 1	Mar 19–Apr 2, Apr 27–May 18, Jun 27–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jun 22–Aug 2	Apr 16–May 11, Jun 7–21	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 29–Jul 19	Jun 4–28	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jul 3–14	—	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jul 3–10	—	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	May 21–Jun 28	Mar 19–May 20	Mar 5–Apr 12	Set out plants
Parsnip	Apr 9–30	May 1–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 8–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 8–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 26–Jun 25	—	Mar 24–Apr 23	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 14–Jul 5	Jun 4–13	Mar 18–Apr 1, Apr 12–May 3	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 20–Jun 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 20–Jun 24	Apr 7–May 19	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 20–31	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Jun 6–20, Jul 5–26	Jun 21–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Apr 2–9	Apr 10–May 2	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Apr 8–May 12, Aug 9–Sep 15	Mar 26–Apr 7, May 13–Jun 13, Jul 13–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Apr 2–25	Apr 26–May 28	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Apr 2–16, Jul 1–22	Jun 2–30	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 9–30, May 8–29	May 1–7	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 19–Apr 2, Jun 21–Jul 12	Apr 3–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 19–Apr 14, Aug 6–Sep 10	Apr 15–May 6, Jun 26–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 20–Jun 3, Jul 2–22	Jun 4–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 30–May 21	Apr 9–29	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 20–27, Jun 14–Jul 4	May 28–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds
Swiss chard	Apr 9–30, Jul 27–Aug 17	May 1–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 20–Jun 3	Jun 4–Jul 2	Apr 8–22	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 29–Jul 19	Jun 4–28	Apr 1–15, May 11–31	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	May 7–14, Jul 4–24	May 15–Jul 3	Mar 19–26, May 16–Jun 5	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Jun 6–Jul 7	—	Apr 18–May 19	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 16–Jul 7	Jun 4–15	Apr 1–15, Apr 28–May 19	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 20–Jun 3, Jun 14–Jul 4	Jun 4–13	Apr 1–15, Apr 26–May 16	Set out plants
Turnip	Apr 2–16, Aug 1–22	Apr 17–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 20–Jun 10	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 31–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 30	Apr 16–May 11	Set out plants
Basil	Jun 6–13, Jun 27–Jul 17	Jun 14–26	May 2–9, May 23–Jun 12	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 31–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 30	Apr 12–May 7	Set out plants
Borage	Jun 26–Aug 3	Apr 23–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Apr 9–23, Jul 2–23	Apr 24–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 16–May 7	May 8–28	Feb 26–Mar 19	Set out plants
Chamomile	Apr 2–16, Jul 17–Aug 7	Apr 17–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Jul 18–Aug 22	Apr 9–May 2, Jun 21–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 30–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 29	Apr 11–May 7	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 6–Aug 14	Apr 16–May 6, Jun 14–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 25–Jul 18	Jun 6–24, Jul 19–22	—	Set out plants
Dill	Apr 16–23, Jul 18–Aug 8	Apr 24–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 20–Jun 3, Jul 11–Aug 1	Jun 4–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 13–Aug 20	Apr 30–Jun 10, Jun 30–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	May 31–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 30	Apr 12–30	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 30–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 29	Apr 11–May 7	Set out plants
Lavender	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	Mar 16–Apr 9	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 27–May 16	Apr 16–26, May 17–28	Mar 23–Apr 11	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 16–May 28	—	Feb 26–Apr 9	Set out plants
Marjoram	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	Apr 13–May 7	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 22–May 13	Apr 16–21, May 14–28	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	Apr 9–May 7	Set out plants
Papalo	Jun 6–20	Jun 21–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Apr 9–23, Jul 2–23	Apr 24–Jul 1	Feb 5–19, Apr 30–May 21	Set out plants
Rosemary	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	Mar 16–Apr 9	Set out plants
Sage	May 30–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 29	Apr 11–30	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 20–27	May 28–Jul 14	Apr 15–22	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Apr 9–May 7	May 8–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 6–22	—	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	May 4–18	May 19–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jun 5–25	Apr 30–Jun 4	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	Apr 2–30	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 17–Jul 15	May 20–Jun 16	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jun 5–25	Apr 30–Jun 4	Apr 17–May 7	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 30–Apr 16	Apr 17–Jun 1	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 30–Apr 9	Apr 10–Jun 15	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Jun 6–22	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 20–Jun 3	Jun 4–Jul 7	Apr 15–29	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Apr 2–30	May 1–14	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 20–Jun 3	Jun 4–Jul 12	Apr 1–15	Set out plants
Raspberry	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–May 28	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Apr 11–May 9	Apr 2–10, May 10–28	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Jun 6–20	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 18–Jul 24	May 20–Jun 17, Jul 25–Aug 1	Apr 9–May 15	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Apr 2–25, Jun 27–Aug 4	Apr 26–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 2–Jul 4	Apr 30–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 16–May 5, Jul 8–Aug 19	May 6–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Apr 2–25, Jun 27–Aug 4	Apr 26–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 11–Jul 2	May 20–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	May 31–Jul 13	Apr 2–May 30	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 19–Jul 7	Jun 6–18, Jul 8–12	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 19–Jul 7	Jun 6–18, Jul 8–12	May 1–19	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 19–Apr 9	Apr 10–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 17–Jul 21	May 20–Jun 16, Jul 22–27	Apr 29–Jun 2	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	Apr 23–May 21	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 22–Aug 1	May 4–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 19–Apr 9, Aug 14–Sep 3	Apr 10–May 22, Jul 15–Aug 13	May 29–Jun 18, Jan 1–22	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jul 3–21	—	May 1–19	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	Mar 12–Apr 9	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Apr 2–16, Jun 22–Jul 13	Apr 17–Jun 21	Jan 29–Feb 12, Apr 20–May 11	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 3–24	May 15–Jul 2	Feb 26–Mar 12, May 1–22	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 16–30, Aug 1–22	May 1–Jun 2, Jun 21–Jul 31	Feb 12–26, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Strawflower	May 4–18, Jul 11–31	May 19–Jul 10	Mar 16–30, May 23–Jun 12	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 8–27	May 20–Jun 7	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Apr 11–May 6, Jul 11–Aug 21	Apr 9–10, May 7–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 21–Jul 10	Jun 6–20, Jul 11–14	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Manchester

These need a climate Manchester doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Bottle gourd / cucuzza: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Celosia: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 80 days it needs.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Culantro: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 88 days it needs.
Luffa gourd: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Malabar spinach: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 65 days it needs.
Moringa: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 13°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Southern pea / cowpea: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Sweet potato: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Winged bean: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Winter melon / wax gourd: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Yardlong bean: The frost-free season (about 164 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Boston, MA 48 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Portland, ME 76 mi · last frost around Apr 26
Providence, RI 81 mi · last frost around Apr 11
Burlington, VT 135 mi · last frost around Apr 29
Bridgeport, CT 154 mi · last frost around Apr 5
All New Hampshire cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Massabesic Lake station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).