When to plant jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 28 in Lewiston to April 18 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 | March 29 – April 12 |
| Lewiston | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | March 28 – April 11 |
| Bangor | 5a | May 4 | October 4 | April 6 – April 20 |
| South Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | March 29 – April 12 |
| Auburn | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | March 28 – April 11 |
| Biddeford | 6a | May 9 | October 3 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Sanford | 5b | May 16 | September 30 | April 18 – May 2 |
| Saco | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | March 29 – April 12 |
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke) in Maine: FAQ
When can I plant jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) in Maine?
Across Maine, the time to transplant jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) spans roughly March 28 in Lewiston to April 18 in Sanford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) planting date vary across Maine?
Yes. Maine publishes 13 cities with their own frost dates, so the right jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) 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 jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) take to grow in Maine?
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke) takes about 110–150 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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