Bangor, ME Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bangor garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 4
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
153 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
5a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 24 May 4 May 17
First fall frost Oct 21 Oct 4 Sep 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 23 · first Oct 17

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Bangor International Airport station (4 km from central Bangor). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bangor

Computed from Bangor's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 9 – Mar 23 May 11 – May 18
🫑 Peppers Feb 23 – Mar 9 May 18 – May 25
🥬 Lettuce Mar 23 – Apr 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 6 – May 4
🫛 Peas Mar 23 – Apr 6
🥕 Carrots Apr 13 – May 4
🥦 Broccoli Mar 16 – Mar 30 Apr 13 – Apr 27
🥬 Kale Mar 23 – Apr 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 6 – Apr 20
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 6 – Apr 13 May 11 – May 18 May 11 – May 18
🥒 Zucchini Apr 6 – Apr 13 May 11 – May 18 May 11 – May 18
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 11 – May 18
🌽 Sweet Corn May 11 – May 18
🌿 Basil Mar 23 – Apr 6 May 11 – May 18 May 18 – May 25
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 23 – Sep 20

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bangor's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bangor

Roughly 153 frost-free days gives Bangor gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 4; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 4 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bangor, ME?

The average last spring frost in Bangor is around May 4, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bangor, ME?

The average first fall frost in Bangor arrives around Oct 4. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bangor?

About 153 frost-free days on average, from May 4 to Oct 4. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Bangor in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.