When to Plant in Maine: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 426 Maine ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is May 6 and the median first fall frost is Oct 6 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 4 areas: May 22 – May 29; Zone 5 areas: May 14 – May 21; Zone 6 areas: May 4 – May 11.
Maine spans USDA hardiness zones 3b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 426 of its 426 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is May 6 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 27 – May 16) and the median first fall frost is Oct 6 (Sep 26 – Oct 21). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Maine frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 (52 ZIP codes) | Caribou Muni Airport, ME, Frenchville Aroostook Airport, ME, Presque Isle, ME | May 15middle 80%: May 6 – May 26 | Sep 26middle 80%: Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 5 (265 ZIP codes) | Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME, Belfast, ME, Bangor Intl Airport, ME | May 7middle 80%: Apr 28 – May 15 | Oct 5middle 80%: Sep 29 – Oct 16 |
| Zone 6 (104 ZIP codes) | Acadia Np, ME, Portland Intl Jetport, ME, Westport Island, ME | Apr 27middle 80%: Apr 26 – May 5 | Oct 18middle 80%: Oct 8 – Oct 25 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Maine ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (2 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Durham 2 N, NH, Greenland, NH, Rochester Skyhaven Airport, NH). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Maine vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Maine, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 4 areasLast frost May 15 · First frost Sep 26 | Zone 5 areasLast frost May 7 · First frost Oct 5 | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 27 · First frost Oct 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 6 | Mar 26 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 28 | Mar 16 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 15 – Jun 18 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 8 | Mar 16 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – May 1Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – May 31 | Apr 2 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) Apr 22 – May 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 13Harvest (est.) Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 20 | Apr 9 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 12 | Mar 30 – Apr 13Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jul 2 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Aug 21 | Mar 30 – Apr 13Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 10 | Apr 9 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jul 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 30 | Apr 9 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 22 | Mar 30 – Apr 13Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 12 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 24 – May 15 | Apr 16 – May 7 | Apr 6 – Apr 27 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 24 – May 15 | Apr 16 – May 7 | Apr 6 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jul 25 – Aug 26 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jul 17 – Aug 18 | Apr 13 – Apr 20Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Aug 8 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 15 – May 29 | May 7 – May 21 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 15 – May 29 | May 7 – May 21 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 31 – Aug 27 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jul 23 – Aug 19 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jul 13 – Aug 9 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 7 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jun 28 – Jul 30 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 27 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jul 18 – Aug 19 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jul 8 – Aug 9 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Aug 2 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jul 25 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jun 13 – Jul 15 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Jul 18 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jul 10 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jun 13 – Jun 30 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 22 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 10 – Sep 13 | May 14 – May 28Harvest (est.) Aug 2 – Sep 5 | May 4 – May 18Harvest (est.) Jul 23 – Aug 26 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Jul 10 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 2 | May 4 – May 11Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 29 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 2 – Aug 19 | May 21 – May 28Harvest (est.) Jul 25 – Aug 11 | May 11 – May 18Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 1 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 29 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 7 – Sep 3 | May 21 – May 28Harvest (est.) Jul 30 – Aug 26 | May 11 – May 18Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 4 – Jul 18Harvest (est.) Aug 23 – Sep 26 | Jul 13 – Jul 27Harvest (est.) Sep 1 – Oct 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 9Harvest (est.) Sep 14 – Oct 18 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 4 – Jul 18Harvest (est.) Sep 12 – Oct 16 | Jul 13 – Jul 27Harvest (est.) Sep 21 – Oct 25 | Jul 26 – Aug 9Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Nov 7 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 18 – Aug 1Harvest (est.) Sep 6 – Oct 10 | Jul 27 – Aug 10Harvest (est.) Sep 15 – Oct 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 23Harvest (est.) Sep 28 – Nov 1 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 1 – Aug 15Harvest (est.) Sep 30 – Nov 3 | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Oct 9 – Nov 12 | Aug 23 – Sep 6Harvest (est.) Oct 22 – Nov 25 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 8 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Sep 22 – Oct 28 | Aug 17 – Sep 7Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Nov 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Oct 14 – Nov 19 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Sep 4 – Sep 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 7Harvest (est.) Sep 13 – Oct 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Sep 26 – Oct 20 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 29 – Oct 10 | Sep 7 – Oct 19 | Sep 20 – Nov 1 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 12 – Oct 24 | Sep 21 – Nov 2 | Oct 4 – Nov 15 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Sep 12 – Oct 17Harvest (est.) May 20, 2027 – Jul 14, 2027 | Sep 21 – Oct 26Harvest (est.) May 29, 2027 – Jul 23, 2027 | Oct 4 – Nov 8Harvest (est.) Jun 11, 2027 – Aug 5, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Maine USDA zone guides: Zone 3 planting guide Zone 4 planting guide Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Maine gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Maine?
Across the 426 Maine ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is May 6, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 27 to May 16. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Maine?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 4 areas: May 22 – May 29; Zone 5 areas: May 14 – May 21; Zone 6 areas: May 4 – May 11.
What USDA zone is Maine?
Maine spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 3b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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