Sanford, ME planting zone & frost dates
Sanford is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 16 and the first fall frost around September 30, for a growing season of about 136 days.
Planting calendar for Sanford
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 16) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4 Transplant outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 Transplant outdoors: May 30 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 Transplant outdoors: May 30 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 4 – Apr 18 Transplant outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 30).
Useful for zone 5b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 2 | May 16 | May 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 10 | Sep 30 | Sep 18 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 18. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Sanford
- 04073 zone 5b
Nearby cities
- Wells Beach Station zone 6a, last frost May 9
- York Beach zone 6a, last frost May 1
- Biddeford zone 5b, last frost May 9
- Saco zone 5b, last frost May 9
- West Scarborough zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
- Westbrook zone 5b, last frost Apr 26
- South Portland Gardens zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
- Portland zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
Questions
What growing zone is Sanford, ME?
Sanford is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Sanford?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Sanford is May 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Sanford?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 23 – May 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Sanford 2 Nnw, ME (USC00177479), 2.1 km (1.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 88 m, based on 24 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.