When to plant rhubarb in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 14 in Lewiston to April 4 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 15 – April 12 |
| Lewiston | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | March 14 – April 11 |
| Bangor | 5a | May 4 | October 4 | March 23 – April 20 |
| South Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Auburn | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | March 14 – April 11 |
| Biddeford | 6a | May 9 | October 3 | March 28 – April 25 |
| Sanford | 5b | May 16 | September 30 | April 4 – May 2 |
| Saco | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | March 15 – April 12 |
Rhubarb in Maine: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Maine?
Across Maine, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 14 in Lewiston to April 4 in Sanford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Maine?
Yes. Maine publishes 13 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rhubarb planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
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