Palermo, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Palermo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palermo falls between April 23 and May 14, a 21-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 64% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 104 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Palermo, ME
Palermo, ME frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palermo, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME weather station, 24 km away (elevation 72 ft (22 m)).
Frost dates near Palermo
- Liberty Apr 27 · Oct 19
- South China May 2 · Oct 10
- Freedom May 7 · Oct 5
- Washington Apr 27 · Oct 19
- Windsor Apr 27 · Oct 16
- East Vassalboro May 2 · Oct 10
- Coopers Mills May 1 · Oct 11
- Searsmont May 7 · Oct 5
- Albion May 2 · Oct 10
- Union Apr 27 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palermo, ME?
The median last spring frost in Palermo, ME is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palermo, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Palermo, ME?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palermo, ME?
Palermo, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.