Last frost date in Sanford, Maine
May 16
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by May 2; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after May 29.
September 30
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by September 18.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Sanford 2 Nnw (USC00177479), 2.6 miles from Sanford, elevation 289 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | May 2 | May 16 | May 29 |
| First frost in fall | Sept 18 | Sept 30 | Oct 10 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 136
Planting calendar for Sanford
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about September 30 (Sanford: September 30).
- PotatoesMay 1 – June 15 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsMay 10 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)May 15 – June 1 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachMay 15 – July 1 (past for this year)
- WatermelonMay 15 – June 1 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsMay 20 – June 10 (past for this year)
- SoybeansMay 25 – June 10 (past for this year)
- BeetsJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsJune 1 – 30 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsJune 1 – 30 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- CarrotsJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJune 1 – July 5 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- DandelionJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Garden peasJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJune 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- ParsleyJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- ParsnipsJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 1 – 20 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- SorrelJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – July 5 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – 20 (past for this year)
- TurnipsJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsJune 15 – July 15 (past for this year)
- EndiveJune 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsJune 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- KaleJune 15 – July 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiJune 15 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensJune 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- RadishesJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- SpinachJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Corn saladJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Upland cressJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Rhubarb plantsOct 1 – Nov 1Now
USDA lists chervil and chives, garlic, horseradish, leeks, onion plants, onion seed, onion sets, shallots as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about May 20 (Sanford: May 16).
- SpinachApr 10 – June 15
- Chervil and chivesApr 15 – May 15
- Corn saladApr 15 – June 1
- DandelionApr 15 – May 15
- Garden peasApr 15 – June 1
- GarlicApr 15 – May 15
- PotatoesApr 15 – June 15
- RadishesApr 15 – June 15
- Rhubarb plantsApr 15 – May 10
- TurnipsApr 15 – June 1
- Asparagus plantsApr 20 – May 15
- Horseradish plantsApr 20 – May 20
- KaleApr 20 – May 10
- KohlrabiApr 20 – May 20
- Onion plants plantsApr 20 – May 15
- Onion seedApr 20 – May 15
- Onion setsApr 20 – May 15
- ShallotsApr 20 – May 10
- BeetsApr 25 – June 15
- Broccoli plantsMay 1 – June 15
- Brussels sprouts plantsMay 1 – June 15
- Cabbage plantsMay 1 – June 15
- CarrotsMay 1 – June 1
- Chinese cabbageMay 1 – June 15
- Collards plantsMay 1 – June 1
- EndiveMay 1 – 30
- Florence fennelMay 1 – 30
- Head lettuce plantsMay 1 – June 30
- Leaf lettuceMay 1 – June 30
- LeeksMay 1 – 20
- Mustard greensMay 1 – June 30
- ParsleyMay 1 – 20
- ParsnipsMay 1 – 20
- RutabagaMay 1 – 20
- SalsifyMay 1 – June 1
- SorrelMay 1 – June 1
- Upland cressMay 1 – June 1
- Cauliflower plantsMay 10 – June 15
- Celery and celeriac plantsMay 10 – June 15
- Swiss chardMay 10 – June 15
- Snap beansMay 15 – June 30
- Sweet cornMay 15 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachMay 20 – June 15
- Summer squashMay 20 – June 15
- Peppers plantsMay 25 – June 15
- TomatoesMay 25 – June 15
- CucumbersJune 1 – 15
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – 15
- OkraJune 1 – 20
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – 15
- WatermelonJune 15 – July 1
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.
Nearby in Maine
- Biddeford 18 mi · last frost May 9
- Saco 18 mi · last frost Apr 26
- South Portland 28 mi · last frost Apr 26
- Westbrook 28 mi · last frost Apr 26
- Portland 32 mi · last frost Apr 26