When to plant potatoes in Maine

Potatoes
Sow outdoors in Portland
Mar 29–Apr 12

Across Maine the window opens between March 28 and April 18. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Portland
Mar 29–Apr 12
Last frost, Portland
Apr 26

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed potatoes once the soil reaches about 45°F. Shoots that come up before the last frost can be covered with soil.

Potatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PortlandMar 29–Apr 12
LewistonMar 28–Apr 11
BangorApr 6–Apr 20
South PortlandMar 29–Apr 12
AuburnMar 28–Apr 11
SanfordApr 18–May 2
BiddefordApr 11–Apr 25
WestbrookMar 29–Apr 12
SacoMar 29–Apr 12

Questions

When should I plant potatoes in Maine?

In Portland, sow outdoors from March 29 to April 12. Across Maine the window opens between March 28 and April 18, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Maine

Potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Maine