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When to plant Anemones in Kennebec County County,

Plant Anemones in Kennebec County County, between May 10 and May 24 — the only viable window. Zone 5b's short season (148 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Anemones in Kennebec County, ME

Kennebec County, Maine Zone 5b June

Kennebec County, Maine gardeners: here's your June plan

June is a pivotal month for Kennebec County, Maine gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 5
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Sow anemones in trays indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 10). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Bring in the anemones

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: anemones

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Poppy anemones (Anemone coronaria) produce vivid, poppy-like flowers with striking black centers, in shades of red, blue, purple, white, and bicolor. A cool-season cut flower favorite, they thrive in the mild overlap between winter's end and summer's arrival. In mild-winter zones (7+), fall planting yields a spectacular mid-spring bloom flush that florists prize. In colder zones, spring planting produces summer flowers. The 'Meron' and 'Moissonnier' series dominate commercial cut flower production; 'De Caen' and 'St. Brigid' are standard home garden strains.

Kennebec County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 1,032 feet, Kennebec County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anemones to ensure they mature before fall.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Kennebec County, ME (Zone 5b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5
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Kennebec County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Anemones Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 4 🌸 Bloom: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 14 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: May 27 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Jul 29

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Kennebec County

How your county's soil matches Anemones's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.4) overlaps with Anemones's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kennebec County is excellent for Anemones — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Anemones.

How to Plant Anemones

3"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Anemones Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Anemones

Anemones needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Anemones Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kennebec County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Anemones Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Anemones needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Anemones Planting Timeline — Kennebec County, ME

Anemones Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Bloom June 14 Jun 14 – Jul 12

Plant 3" deep · 5" apart · Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Bloom
July Bloom
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Kennebec County

Growing Tips for Anemones in Kennebec County

Direct sow Anemones outdoors after May 10 in Kennebec County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Soak corms in tepid water for 2–4 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Plant 2–3 inches deep with the flat or rough side down (corms are irregular). Space 4–6 inches apart. Anemones are cool-season plants — they need cool temperatures to set buds; summer heat causes dormancy. In zones 7+, fall planting allows corms to root through winter and bloom in March–April. In zones 5–6, start corms indoors 4 weeks before last frost, then transplant after danger of hard freeze passes. In zones 9–10b, plant from October through January for a succession of blooms. After bloom, allow foliage to die back; corms can be lifted, dried, and stored in a cool, dry place through summer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Anemones in Kennebec County, ME?

Kennebec County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Anemones planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kennebec County, ME?

Kennebec County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 5.

When should I plant Anemones in Kennebec County County, ?

In Kennebec County County, , plant Anemones after the last frost (around May 10) and before the first frost (around October 5). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kennebec County County, for Anemones?

Kennebec County County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Anemones grows reliably in zones 5a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anemones grow in Kennebec County County's climate?

Yes — Anemones grows well in Kennebec County County's temperate climate. Kennebec County County averages a 148-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 10 and first frost around October 5.

🌱

Your Kennebec County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kennebec County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kennebec County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.