Maine Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Maine gardeners.

Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a

The Short Answer

Maine spans USDA zones 3b through 6a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Maine has an average last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern/Coastal Maine sees its last frost around May 1 - May 15. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Maine Frost Dates by Region

Short growing season but long summer days help. Maritime influence on coast. Season extension techniques very valuable.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Maine	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Central Maine	4b, 5a	May 10 - May 25	Sep 20 - Oct 5
Southern/Coastal Maine	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 15	Sep 25 - Oct 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Acidic, rocky soils. Blueberries thrive naturally. Raised beds common to deal with rocks. Amendment with lime needed for many vegetables.

What to Plant in Maine

Maine's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Maine's climate:

Top Picks for Maine

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Maine gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026