When to plant garlic in Maine

Garlic
Fall planting in Portland
Sep 24–Oct 29

Across Maine the window opens between September 9 and September 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Portland
Sep 24–Oct 29
Last frost, Portland
Apr 26

Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Plant cloves pointy end up, about 2 inches deep. Roots grow before the ground freezes and leaves come up in spring.

Garlic planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PortlandSep 24–Oct 29
LewistonSep 28–Nov 2
BangorSep 13–Oct 18
South PortlandSep 24–Oct 29
AuburnSep 28–Nov 2
SanfordSep 9–Oct 14
BiddefordSep 12–Oct 17
WestbrookSep 24–Oct 29
SacoSep 24–Oct 29

Questions

When should I plant garlic in Maine?

In Portland, fall planting from September 24 to October 29. Across Maine the window opens between September 9 and September 28, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Maine

Garlic in other states

Frost dates for every city in Maine