Frost dates for 04469 — Orono, ME
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season138 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Orono compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orono falls between April 30 and May 28, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 138-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 173 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Orono, ME
Frost dates for 04469 — Orono, ME — last frost May 13, first frost Sep 28, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orono, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Old Town 2 W, ME weather station, 10 km away (elevation 128 ft (39 m)).
ZIP codes in Orono: 04469 04473
Frost dates near Orono
- Milford May 1 · Oct 6
- Old Town May 13 · Sep 28
- Greenbush May 13 · Sep 28
- Bradley May 1 · Oct 6
- Stillwater May 1 · Oct 6
- Hudson May 13 · Sep 28
- Passadumkeag May 4 · Oct 6
- Eddington May 1 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orono, ME?
The median last spring frost in Orono, ME is May 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Orono, ME?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Orono, ME?
About 138 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orono, ME?
Orono, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.