Franklin, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between April 27 and May 23, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 50% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 162 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Franklin, ME
Franklin, ME frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 9, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the E Surry, ME weather station, 21 km away (elevation 105 ft (32 m)).
Frost dates near Franklin
- Sullivan Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Hancock Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Sorrento Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Ellsworth May 8 · Oct 9
- Gouldsboro Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Salsbury Cove Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Hulls Cove Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Cherryfield May 3 · Oct 9
- Surry May 8 · Oct 9
- Bar Harbor Apr 27 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, ME?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, ME is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Franklin, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, ME?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, ME?
Franklin, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.