Planting calendar for Portland, Maine

Dates from 30 years of records at the Portland Intl Jetport weather station, 2.1 miles from Portland, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Portland at a glance

Weather station: Portland Intl Jetport · 2.1 mi
USDA zone: 6a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 26; 1 year in 10 after May 7
First fall frost: typically Oct 15; 1 year in 10 before Oct 2
Frost-free season: about 172 days
Hottest month: July: highs 80°F, nights 61°F
Coldest month: January: highs 32°F, nights 16°F
Rain: 48 in. a year, most in April, October and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Portland typically comes around Apr 26, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 7. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 15. That leaves about 172 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 80°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Apr 6–30, Jul 12–Aug 28.

Portland gets about 48 inches of rain a year, most of it in April, October and December.

146 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 28 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Portland, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Leek, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Lovage, Parsley, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock

March10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cabbage, Fava bean, Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Radish

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lovage, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

April54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Feverfew, Lovage, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Cabbage, Fava bean, Kale, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Borage, Cilantro, Lemon balm, Mint, Sage, Blueberry, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native), Snapdragon

May46

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Lemon balm, Mint, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Strawberry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leek, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Basil, Parsley, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June53

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Popcorn, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Larkspur, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July68

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Beet, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

September8

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Elephant garlic, Garden cress, Garlic, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

Every crop that grows in Portland

146 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Jun 8–22, Jul 28–Aug 14	Jun 23–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 26–Jul 16	Jun 5–25	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 12–26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–22	Set out plants
Arugula	Apr 6–May 8, Jul 20–Sep 7	Mar 15–Apr 5, May 9–Jun 18, Jul 1–19	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 10–31	Jun 5–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 21–Jun 26	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Jun 8–Jul 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 30–Jul 21	Jun 5–29	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 29–Apr 19, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 20–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 28–Jul 19	Jun 5–27	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Apr 12–25, Jul 15–Aug 9	Apr 26–May 11, Jun 21–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 19–Aug 8	Apr 13–Jul 18	Feb 15–Mar 1, Jun 7–27	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Apr 4–24, Jul 19–Aug 26	Mar 29–Apr 3, Apr 25–May 22, Jun 23–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jun 30–Jul 21	Apr 13–Jun 29	Feb 15–Mar 1, May 19–Jun 9	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 6–27	Apr 6–Jul 5	Feb 8–22, May 25–Jun 15	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Jun 2	Feb 22–Mar 8	Set out plants
Carrot	Apr 5–26, Jul 16–Aug 6	Apr 27–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Apr 5–19, Jul 5–25	Apr 20–Jul 4	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 24–Jun 13	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 20–May 4, Jun 1–22	May 5–31	Feb 2–16, Mar 16–Apr 6	Set out plants
Celery	May 5–19, May 28–Jun 18	May 20–27	Feb 17–Mar 3, Mar 12–Apr 2	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Apr 5–26, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 27–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 30–Aug 20	Apr 13–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 3–24	Jun 5–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 1–21	Jun 5–30	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Apr 5–19, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 20–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Jun 8–Jul 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Jun 8–Jul 6	—	Apr 6–May 4	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 24–Oct 29	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Apr 5–19, Jun 17–Jul 8	Apr 20–May 9, Jun 6–16	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jun 26–Jul 17	Apr 4–14, Jun 18–25	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 12–26, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 27–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 19–May 21, Aug 9–Sep 11	Apr 12–18, May 22–Jun 27, Jul 17–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 24–Oct 29	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Mar 29–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 24	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 15–Apr 5, Aug 12–Sep 1	Apr 6–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 3–23	Apr 13–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 5–Aug 31	Apr 26–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jun 20–Jul 11	Apr 13–Jun 19	Jan 25–Feb 8, Apr 18–May 9	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Apr 6–30, Jul 12–Aug 28	Mar 29–Apr 5, May 1–Jun 14, Jun 22–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Apr 5–18, Jul 7–Aug 11	Apr 19–May 14, Jun 14–Jul 6	Mar 1–14, Jun 2–Jul 7	Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 12–Sep 9	Apr 13–25, Jul 13–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Apr 3–30, Jul 23–Sep 5	Mar 15–Apr 2, May 1–28, Jun 28–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jun 17–Aug 6	Apr 12–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 3–23	Jun 5–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jul 2–16	—	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jul 2–13	—	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	May 22–Jul 2	Mar 15–May 21	Mar 6–Apr 16	Set out plants
Parsnip	Apr 5–26	Apr 27–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 4–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 4–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 28–Jun 29	—	Mar 26–Apr 27	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 18–Jul 9	Jun 5–17	Mar 19–Apr 2, Apr 16–May 7	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 21–28	May 29–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 22–Jun 28	Apr 5–May 21	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 21–Jun 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Jun 8–22, Jul 9–30	Jun 23–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 6–May 15	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Apr 9–May 16, Aug 8–Sep 19	Mar 22–Apr 8, May 17–Jun 24, Jul 15–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 5–26	Apr 13–May 2, May 22–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 5–26, May 12–Jun 2	Apr 27–May 11	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 15–29, Jun 25–Jul 16	Mar 30–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 15–Apr 18, Aug 9–Sep 14	Apr 19–May 15, Jun 25–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 6–26	Jun 5–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 26–May 17	Apr 5–25	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 21–28, Jun 18–Jul 8	May 29–Jun 17	—	Sow seeds
Swiss chard	Apr 5–26, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 27–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 6	Apr 9–23	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 3–23	Jun 5–Jul 2	Apr 2–16, May 15–Jun 4	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	May 5–12, Jul 8–28	May 13–Jul 7	Mar 17–24, May 20–Jun 9	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Jun 8–Jul 11	—	Apr 20–May 23	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 20–Jul 11	Jun 5–19	Apr 2–16, May 2–23	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 21–Jun 4, Jun 18–Jul 8	Jun 5–17	Apr 2–16, Apr 30–May 20	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 5–26	Apr 13–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Apr 5–19	Apr 20–May 31	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 21–Jun 14	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 31–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 30	Apr 16–May 7	Set out plants
Basil	Jun 8–15, Jul 1–21	Jun 16–30	May 4–11, May 27–Jun 16	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Jun 2–21	Apr 26–Jun 1	Apr 14–May 3	Set out plants
Borage	Jun 26–Aug 7	Apr 19–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Apr 5–19, Jul 6–27	Apr 20–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 14–May 5	Apr 12–13, May 6–24	Feb 24–Mar 17	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 21–Aug 11	Apr 13–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Apr 6–19, Jul 20–Aug 26	Apr 5, Apr 20–May 11, Jun 21–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Jun 1–21	Apr 26–May 31	Apr 13–May 3	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 9–Aug 18	Apr 12–May 17, Jun 16–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 26–Jul 20	Jun 8–25, Jul 21–26	—	Set out plants
Dill	Apr 12–19, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 20–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 21–Jun 4, Jul 15–Aug 5	Jun 5–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 26–May 12, Jul 12–Aug 24	May 13–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 21–May 6	Apr 19–20, May 7–Jun 14	Mar 3–18	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 31–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 30	Apr 12–May 3	Set out plants
Lavender	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	Mar 12–Apr 5	Set out plants
Lemon balm	May 1–22	Apr 12–30, May 23–24	Mar 27–Apr 17	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 30–Jun 23	May 5–29	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 12–30	May 1–24	Feb 22–Mar 12	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 30–Jun 23	May 5–29	Apr 11–May 5	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 25–May 16	Apr 12–24, May 17–24	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	Apr 5–May 3	Set out plants
Papalo	Jun 8–22	Jun 23–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Apr 5–19, Jul 6–27	Apr 20–Jul 5	Feb 1–15, May 4–25	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	Mar 12–Apr 5	Set out plants
Sage	May 28–Jun 14	Apr 19–May 27	Apr 9–26	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 21–28	May 29–Jul 18	Apr 16–23	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Apr 9–May 7	Apr 5–8, May 8–31	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 8–26	—	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	May 5–19	May 20–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 26–May 9, Jun 7–21	May 10–Jun 6	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	Mar 29–Apr 26	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 18–Jul 16	May 21–Jun 17	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jun 4–21	Apr 26–Jun 3	Apr 16–May 3	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 26–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 28	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 26–Apr 5	Apr 6–Jun 11	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Jun 8–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 11	Apr 16–30	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 10	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 21–Jun 4	Jun 5–Jul 16	Apr 2–16	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 29–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 24	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Apr 14–May 12	Mar 29–Apr 13, May 13–24	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Jun 8–24	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 18–Jul 26	May 21–Jun 17, Jul 27–Aug 5	Apr 9–May 17	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Apr 3–28, Jun 29–Aug 8	Mar 29–Apr 2, Apr 29–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 2–Jul 8	Apr 26–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 14–May 7, Jul 12–Aug 23	Apr 12–13, May 8–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Apr 3–28, Jun 29–Aug 8	Mar 29–Apr 2, Apr 29–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 13–Jul 6	May 21–Jun 12	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Jun 1–Jul 17	Mar 29–May 31	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 20–Jul 9	Jun 8–19, Jul 10–16	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 20–Jul 9	Jun 8–19, Jul 10–16	May 2–21	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 15–Apr 5	Apr 6–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 18–Jul 23	May 21–Jun 17, Jul 24–31	Apr 30–Jun 4	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	Apr 19–May 17	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 23–Aug 5	May 5–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 15–Apr 5, Aug 18–Sep 7	Apr 6–Jun 4, Jul 8–Aug 17	Jun 2–22, Dec 28–Jan 18	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jul 2–28	—	Apr 30–May 26	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	May 27–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 26	Mar 11–Apr 5	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jun 26–Jul 17	Apr 13–Jun 25	Jan 25–Feb 8, Apr 24–May 15	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 7–28	May 11–Jul 6	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 5–26	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 12–26, Aug 5–26	Apr 27–Aug 4	Feb 8–22, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Strawflower	May 5–19, Jul 15–Aug 4	May 20–Jul 14	Mar 17–31, May 27–Jun 16	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 11–Jul 1	May 21–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Apr 13–May 9, Jul 12–Aug 25	Apr 5–12, May 10–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 20–Apr 17	Apr 18–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 22–Jul 12	Jun 8–21, Jul 13–18	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Portland

These need a climate Portland doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Bottle gourd / cucuzza: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Celosia: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 80 days it needs.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Culantro: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 88 days it needs.
Luffa gourd: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Malabar spinach: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 65 days it needs.
Moringa: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 16°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Southern pea / cowpea: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Sweet potato: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Winged bean: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Winter melon / wax gourd: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Yardlong bean: The frost-free season (about 172 days) is shorter than the 70 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Manchester, NH 76 mi · last frost around Apr 30
Boston, MA 98 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Providence, RI 140 mi · last frost around Apr 11
Burlington, VT 157 mi · last frost around Apr 29
Bridgeport, CT 227 mi · last frost around Apr 5
All Maine cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Portland Intl Jetport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).