Princeton, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season159 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Princeton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Princeton falls between April 24 and May 18, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 60% 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 181 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Princeton, ME
Princeton, ME frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Princeton, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| 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 Grand Lake Stream, ME weather station, 14 km away (elevation 289 ft (88 m)).
Frost dates near Princeton
- Grand Lake Stream May 4 · Oct 10
- Baileyville Apr 21 · Oct 26
- Waite May 6 · Oct 8
- Wesley May 2 · Oct 15
- Topsfield May 6 · Oct 8
- Calais Apr 21 · Oct 26
- Meddybemps Apr 21 · Oct 26
- Lambert Lake May 13 · Oct 1
- Brookton May 6 · Oct 8
- Robbinston May 5 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Princeton, ME?
The median last spring frost in Princeton, ME is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Princeton, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Princeton, ME?
About 159 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Princeton, ME?
Princeton, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.