Frost dates for 04473 — Orono, ME
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season158 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Orono compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orono falls between April 22 and May 14, a 22-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 158-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 04473 — Orono, ME — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 6, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
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 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Orono, ME weather station, 4 km away (elevation 115 ft (35 m)).
ZIP codes in Orono: 04469 04473
Frost dates near Orono
- Stillwater May 1 · Oct 6
- Old Town May 13 · Sep 28
- Bradley May 1 · Oct 6
- Milford May 1 · Oct 6
- Bangor May 4 · Oct 4
- Brewer May 4 · Oct 4
- Eddington May 1 · Oct 6
- Kenduskeag May 4 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orono, ME?
The median last spring frost in Orono, ME is May 1. 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 Orono, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Orono, ME?
About 158 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.