Blog

When to Plant Strawberries in Cumberland County, ME

Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Cumberland County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 405 feet, Cumberland County receives approximately 42.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Cumberland County, ME (Zone 5b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Cumberland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 16

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~3,299 GDD — county provides 2,421 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Cumberland County, ME

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Nov 4

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Cumberland County

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Cumberland County, ME?

Cumberland County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cumberland County, ME?

Cumberland County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cumberland County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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