When to Plant Peppers in Maine
In Maine, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 9 – May 23 in Lewiston to May 30 – Jun 13 in Sanford. In Portland, it's May 10 – May 24. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 25 in Lewiston, May 16 in Sanford), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Maine by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 5b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Augusta | 5b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Bangor | 5a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Bath | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Belfast | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Biddeford | 6a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Brewer | 5a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Caribou | 4a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Ellsworth | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Gardiner | 5b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Lewiston | 5b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Old Town | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 |
| Portland | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Presque Isle | 4a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Rockland | 6a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Saco | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Sanford | 5b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| South Portland | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Waterville | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Westbrook | 5b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
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 peppers.
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