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When to Plant Strawberries in York 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.

York County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 154 days.

At an elevation of 794 feet, York County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

York County, ME (Zone 5b) Moderate season
154 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
154 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

York County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Nov 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Nov 24

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~2,787 GDD — county provides 1,886 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” York County, ME

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Nov 12

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

154 days

Growing Tips for York 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 York County, ME?

York County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is York County, ME?

York County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 York County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.