Madison, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season150 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between April 28 and May 20, a 22-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 150-day growing season is longer than 38% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 172 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Madison, ME
Madison, ME frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 5, zone 5a. 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 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
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 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
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 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, 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 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| 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 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| 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 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
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 Madison, ME weather station, 4 km away (elevation 220 ft (67 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Anson May 8 · Oct 5
- North Anson May 8 · Oct 5
- Skowhegan May 8 · Oct 5
- Norridgewock May 8 · Oct 5
- Solon May 8 · Oct 5
- New Portland May 8 · Oct 5
- Athens May 11 · Oct 1
- Smithfield May 7 · Oct 2
- Hinckley May 2 · Oct 10
- New Vineyard May 16 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, ME?
The median last spring frost in Madison, ME is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Madison, ME?
About 150 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, ME?
Madison, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.