When to Plant Haskaps in Lincoln County, ME
Your May planting checklist for Lincoln County, Maine
A quick May briefing for Lincoln County, Maine gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
Set out haskaps seedlings
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
Haskaps (honeyberries) are extremely cold-hardy shrubs producing elongated blue berries with a complex blueberry-raspberry flavor. They fruit very early in the season.
Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.
At an elevation of 815 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Haskaps during the growing season.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Haskaps's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.4) overlaps with Haskaps's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Haskaps — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Haskaps.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Haskaps.
How to Plant Haskaps
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Haskaps
Haskaps needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Haskaps Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lincoln County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Haskaps 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.
Haskaps Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, ME
Haskaps Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
159 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Haskaps in Lincoln County
Direct sow Haskaps outdoors after May 03 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 159.0-day growing season in Lincoln County is tight for Haskaps (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
General growing tips
Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination. Fruits ripen 2-3 weeks before strawberries. Protect from birds. Very low maintenance once established. Tolerates extreme cold.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Haskaps in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Haskaps in Lincoln County, ME?
Lincoln County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Haskaps planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, ME?
Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.