When to plant basil in Maine

Basil
Plant out in Portland
May 3–May 17

Across Maine the window opens between May 2 and May 23. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Portland
Mar 15–Mar 29
Plant out, Portland
May 3–May 17
Sow outdoors, Portland
May 3–May 17
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 18
Last frost, Portland
Apr 26

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Basil blackens below 50°F. Wait a week or two after the last frost.

Basil planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PortlandMay 3–May 17
LewistonMay 2–May 16
BangorMay 11–May 25
South PortlandMay 3–May 17
AuburnMay 2–May 16
SanfordMay 23–Jun 6
BiddefordMay 16–May 30
WestbrookMay 3–May 17
SacoMay 3–May 17

Questions

When should I plant basil in Maine?

In Portland, plant out from May 3 to May 17. Across Maine the window opens between May 2 and May 23, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Maine

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in Maine