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When to Plant Pansy in New Hampshire

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

New Hampshire spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Pansy planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Pansy Planting Calendar for New Hampshire

Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Bloom June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 14
Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Bloom June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 15
Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Bloom June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 15
Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Bloom June 5 Jun 5 – Aug 7
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

Growing Tips for New Hampshire

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in New Hampshire?

Planting dates for Pansy in New Hampshire depend on your USDA zone. New Hampshire spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is New Hampshire for planting?

New Hampshire contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: June 2026.