Extension Experts Say It's Not Too Late to Plant

The wetter than usual spring and rainy days may have put many gardeners behind schedule in planting, but University of Maine Cooperative Extension horticulturists and gardening experts say there’s still plenty of time to plant.

“There’s no need to worry if you haven’t had a chance to plant your garden this spring,” says horticulturist Kate Garland in the Extension’s Bangor office. “For many areas in Maine, seedlings of long-season crops such as tomato, pepper and eggplant can be planted until the end of June.”

Crops traditionally started from seed directly in the garden, such as beans and summer squash, also can be planted through June. Some vegetables, including radish and lettuce greens, take less than a month to grow, she notes.

“These can be sown as late as the beginning of August without having to worry about protecting plants from early season frosts,” she says. “If you are wondering if it’s too late to plant, check your seed packets to see how many days the crop takes for it to mature or call your local Extension office for advice.”

Garland can be reached at (207) 942-7396 or by email at Katherine.Garland@maine.edu for more details. Barbara Murphy, who oversees the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Harvest for Hungry Program from her South Paris office, can be reached at 1-800-287-1482 in Maine, or by email at barbara.murphy@maine.edu.

Contact: Kate Garland, (207) 942-7396, or Barbara Murphy, 1-800-287-1482 (in Maine) or (207) 743-6329

Provided by University of Maine