When to plant purslane in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant purslane shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about May 2 in Lewiston to May 23 in Sanford — below are local dates for 13 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Lewiston | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bangor | 5a | May 4 | October 4 | May 11 – May 25 |
| South Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Auburn | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Biddeford | 6a | May 9 | October 3 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Sanford | 5b | May 16 | September 30 | May 23 – June 6 |
| Saco | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
Purslane in Maine: FAQ
When can I plant purslane in Maine?
Across Maine, the time to direct-sow purslane spans roughly May 2 in Lewiston to May 23 in Sanford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the purslane planting date vary across Maine?
Yes. Maine publishes 13 cities with their own frost dates, so the right purslane 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 purslane take to grow in Maine?
Purslane takes about 40–50 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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