When to plant fennel (bulb) in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant fennel (bulb) shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 11 in Lewiston to May 2 in Sanford — below are local dates for 13 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | April 12 – April 26 |
| Lewiston | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Bangor | 5a | May 4 | October 4 | April 20 – May 4 |
| South Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | April 12 – April 26 |
| Auburn | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Biddeford | 6a | May 9 | October 3 | April 25 – May 9 |
| Sanford | 5b | May 16 | September 30 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Saco | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | April 12 – April 26 |
Fennel (Bulb) in Maine: FAQ
When can I plant fennel (bulb) in Maine?
Across Maine, the time to transplant fennel (bulb) spans roughly April 11 in Lewiston to May 2 in Sanford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the fennel (bulb) planting date vary across Maine?
Yes. Maine publishes 13 cities with their own frost dates, so the right fennel (bulb) planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does fennel (bulb) take to grow in Maine?
Fennel (Bulb) takes about 65–90 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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