When should I plant tomatoes in Maine?

In Maine, tomatoes is typically planted between May 29 and June 19 (earliest May 22, latest July 10). Wait for soil temperature at 2-inch depth to reach 60°F.

What USDA hardiness zone is Maine?

Maine has a dominant USDA hardiness zone of 5a, with a range from 3b to 6a. Last frost date averages around May 15 and first fall frost around September 25, giving a typical 130-day growing season.

What soil temperature does tomatoes need to germinate?

Tomatoes requires a minimum soil temperature of 60°F at 2-inch depth for reliable germination. Optimal germination occurs at 65–85°F.

How long does tomatoes take to mature?

Tomatoes typically reaches maturity in 60–100 days, depending on variety. Days to maturity counted from transplant date, not from seed. Direct seeding is uncommon outside southernmost states.

State × crop calendar

Tomatoes planting in Maine.

Primary cropZone 5a130-day seasonLast frost May 15VegetableFrost Sensitive

Tomatoes planting in Maine is shaped by the state's 5a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around May 15, and a 130-day growing season. Tomatoes is widely grown in Maine — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against University of Maine Cooperative Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.

Planting calendar — 2026

Tomatoes · Maine · planting calendar

Ideal windowEarliest / latest tailsFrost zone

Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

Planting windows

Spring planting

Tomatoes

Earliest

May 22

Ideal start

May 29

Ideal end

June 19

Latest

July 10

Soil-temp triggerTransplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.

Harvest window

Typical start

July 28

Typical end

September 6

Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.

Growing notes

Tomatoes grows well in Maine's typical climate. Maine's 130-day growing season and 5a hardiness zone support reliable production with appropriate variety selection.

Tomatoes is widely grown in Maine — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Agronomy reference

Soil-temp minimum

60°F

Soil-temp optimum

65–85°F

Days to maturity

60–100

Water (in/wk)

1–2"

Soil pH

6–6.8

Nitrogen demand

high

Days to maturity counted from transplant date, not from seed. Direct seeding is uncommon outside southernmost states.

Common pests to watch

Tomato hornworm
Aphids
Whiteflies

Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Common diseases

Early blight
Late blight
Septoria leaf spot

Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.

Variety selection

Tomatoes varieties for Maine live with your extension service.

Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension →

Search the extension site for “tomatoesvariety trial” or “recommended tomatoes varieties” to find the current report.

Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.

Tomatoes timing. Live alerts.

Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.

Download Bield: Farm

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