When to Plant Garlic in Maine
In Maine, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 26 – Oct 24 in Presque Isle to Oct 19 – Nov 16 in Lewiston. In Portland, it's Oct 15 – Nov 12. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Sep 26 in Presque Isle, Oct 19 in Lewiston), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in Maine by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 5b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Augusta | 5b | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Bangor | 5a | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Bath | 6a | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Belfast | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Biddeford | 6a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Brewer | 5a | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Caribou | 4a | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Ellsworth | 5b | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Gardiner | 5b | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Lewiston | 5b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Old Town | 5a | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Portland | 6a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Presque Isle | 4a | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Rockland | 6a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Saco | 6a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Sanford | 5b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| South Portland | 6a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Waterville | 5b | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Westbrook | 5b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Maine, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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