Portland, Maine · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Portland, Maine

This month's sowing list for Portland, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

1 vegetable to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around May 10, and frost is unlikely after about May 14.

Sow or plant in Portland in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

Nothing this month.

Transplant

Garlic

Last month to start: garlic.

Ready to pick in October

Arugula
Beets
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Parsley
Parsnip
Peas
Potato
Radish
Rutabaga
Scallions
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss chard
Turnip

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Portland

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 18 weeks after starting.

Potatoes

Plant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: September to October.

Best time to start: September to October.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 39 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to August.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to August.

Pick: July to December.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to April.

Transplant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: September to January.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May.

Direct sow: June.

Transplant: June.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: September.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: May to July.

Direct sow: June to July.

Transplant: June to August.

Best time to start: June.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Portland

Start seeds indoors
Direct sow
Transplant
Pick
Paler: possible, but not the best time

Vegetable	O	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	First pick
Arugula				S	S	S	S	S	S	about 4 weeks
Basil					T	S	S			about 8 weeks
Beets				S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Bell pepper				T		P				about 19 weeks
Bok choy				S	S	S	S	S	S	about 5 weeks
Broccoli			T	P	P	P	P	P		about 12 weeks
Brussels sprouts						T	P			about 19 weeks
Bush beans					S	S	S			about 9 weeks
Cabbage			T	P	P	P	P	P		about 13 weeks
Cantaloupe						P				about 9 weeks
Carrot				S	S	S	S	S		about 8 weeks
Cauliflower						T	P	P		about 14 weeks
Celeriac			T	T	P	P	P			about 22 weeks
Celery			T	T	P	P	P			about 20 weeks
Chives			T	T	S	S	S	S	P	about 8 weeks
Cilantro					S	S		S	S	about 5 weeks
Cucumber					T	S	S			about 8 weeks
Dill					S	S	S	S		about 5 weeks
Eggplant				T		P				about 17 weeks
Fava beans				S						about 12 weeks
Garlic	P								P	about 39 weeks
Hot pepper				T		P				about 20 weeks
Kale				S	S	S	S	S	P	about 6 weeks
Leek		T	T	P	P	P	P			about 18 weeks
Lettuce				S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Okra							P			about 5 weeks
Onion		T	T	P	P	P				about 20 weeks
Parsley			T	T	S	S	S	S	P	about 8 weeks
Parsnip					S	S	S			about 12 weeks
Peas				S	S	S	S	S		about 8 weeks
Pole beans					S	S	S			about 10 weeks
Potato					P	P	P			about 10 weeks
Radish				S	S	S	S	S	S	about 3 weeks
Runner beans						S				about 11 weeks
Rutabaga							S			about 11 weeks
Scallions				S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Spinach				S	S				S	about 7 weeks
Strawberry				P	P	P				about 16 weeks
Sweet corn					T	S	P			about 11 weeks
Swiss chard				S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Tomato				T	T	P				about 18 weeks
Turnip				S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Watermelon						P				about 8 weeks
Winter squash					T	S				about 16 weeks
Zucchini					T	S	S	P		about 8 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: cantaloupe, eggplant, fava beans, okra and watermelon.

Portland season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, fava beans, hot pepper, kale, lettuce, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: bell pepper, eggplant, fava beans, hot pepper and spinach.

Summer June to August

Time to start: bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cilantro, eggplant, hot pepper, okra, runner beans, rutabaga and watermelon.

Last chance for: basil, beets, bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, lettuce, okra, onion, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, runner beans, rutabaga, scallions, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: garlic and spinach.

Last chance for: arugula, bok choy, chives, cilantro, garlic, kale, parsley, radish and spinach.

Winter December to February

Time to start: leek and onion.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Portland

Last frost, most years: around May 10
Frost is unlikely after: about May 14
First frost, most years: around October 12
Frost-free days in a year: about 155

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Portland

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: sweet potato.

Questions about planting in Portland

What can I plant now in Portland?

In October, 1 vegetables can be sown or planted in Portland, including garlic. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Portland?

In Portland, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them in June. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant potatoes in Portland?

In Portland, plant potatoes from May to July. The best time to start is from May to July. Picking runs from August to October.

When should I plant garlic in Portland?

In Portland, plant garlic from September to October. The best time to start is from September to October. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Portland?

In most years the last frost in Portland comes around May 10. Frost is unlikely after about May 14, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 12.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Portland?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), lettuce (about 6 weeks), scallions (about 6 weeks) and Swiss chard (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Portland. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).