Gardening in Maine

Gardening in Maine is not without its challenges. Spring comes late and fall comes early limiting the vegetables that can be grown successfully in the home garden. The state ranges from USDA Hardiness Zone 3 in Northern Maine to Zone 5 in southern Maine with nearly half of the state in Zone 4.

Frost
According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, areas in southern Maine should expect a last spring frost of May 2 and the first fall frost on October 6, giving the area 156 growing days to the year. I'm afraid this is one of those times when the guidelines of the experts should be followed very loosely. Although I'm a bit north of the area, I am still classified as zone 5, and I can tell you that those dates only apply on rare occasions.

I remember one summer when a frost killed off spring vegetables on June 21 forcing gardeners to replant much of the summer garden. Another frost hit by the last week in August of that same year. Although out of the ordinary, it does happen and Maine gardeners must be prepared.

Growing Season
It's not unusual -- although recent years have seen a bit of a warmer trend -- for my area to receive a frost well into the first week of June and for the first fall frost to appear in the beginning or middle of September. Typically, we consider from June to September our growing season, giving us a guarantee of 90 days of frost-free days. Anything beyond that is bit risky '" particularly for tender crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, melons and cucumbers.

Weather
Summers are cool and short. Weather ranges from wet, rainy springs that can delay planting to hot, dry periods in midsummer that challenge even the experienced gardener. In a good year, the weather cooperates and provides enough rain and sunshine for crops to thrive.

Soil
According to the University of Maine, the official soil for the State if Maine is Chesuncook soil. This soil is composed of coarse loam. In gardens, the addition of compost or well-rotted manure creates organic-rich loam ideal for gardening. Of course, the specific location of your garden must be considered. Some areas are gravely, while others are more organic. Overall, Maine's soil is easy to amend and produces abundant crops.

Choosing Vegetables
You can grow nearly any crop in a Maine garden, as long as its days to maturity are less that the number of frost free days in the area. Sun-loving crops, such as watermelon, okra, eggplant, peppers and some varieties of tomatoes may not mature in our cool summers. Choosing a short-season cultivar bred for short, cool seasons typically produces adequate yields.

Learning to work with the variations in weather, unpredictable frosts and choosing cultivars designed for short-season gardens goes a long way toward your success as a Maine gardener. Of course, a little old-fashioned Maine ingenuity and plenty of old sheets to cover plants when a frost threatens isn't bad either.

Other articles you may find useful for Maine Gardens.
Rustic Grapevine and Cedar Garden Trellis Adds Charm to Any Garden
5 Early Maturing Tomatoes for Short Season Gardens
How to Make Your Own Wall-o-Water for Tomato Plants