When to plant butternut squash in Maine

Sow outdoors 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.

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Leave fruit on the vine until the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry.

Butternut squash 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

AuburnMay 2–May 16

SanfordMay 23–Jun 6

BiddefordMay 16–May 30

WestbrookMay 3–May 17

SacoMay 3–May 17

When should I plant butternut squash in Maine?

In Portland, sow outdoors 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?

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.