Home › Butternut Squash › Grow in Maine

Can You Grow Butternut Squash in Maine?

US · USDA Zone 5a · zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b

Grows well here

Butternut squash thrives here with warm, frost-free summers and full sun.

Plant zones

3a–10b

Maine last frost

mid-April

Maine first frost

mid-October

Days to harvest

100–120 days

When to plant Butternut Squashes in Maine

Start indoors

Mar 18

Transplant

Apr 15

Harvest

Jul 24 – Aug 13

Dates are approximate, based on Maine's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is the most popular winter squash — sweet, smooth, and superb for storage. A vigorous vining plant that needs warm weather and room to sprawl.

Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 3-4 weeks earlier. Harvest when skin turns tan and hard. Cure 1-2 weeks in a warm spot before storing in a cool dry place.

Full butternut squash growing guide →

Gardening in Maine

Maine has a cool humid continental climate. Coastal areas are Zone 5b-6a; inland and northern Maine is Zone 3b-4a. Short summers but excellent for potatoes, blueberries, and cool crops.