When to plant in Bangor, ME
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Bangor, Maine — all computed from Bangor's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5a, Bangor gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
BANGOR INTL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bangor’s own odds, recorded at BANGOR INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 17 | May 5 | Sep 13 | Sep 25 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F | May 17 | May 4 | Apr 24 | Sep 23 | Oct 4 | Oct 21 |
| 28°F | May 4 | Apr 23 | Apr 11 | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Nov 2 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bangor, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bangor planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bangor, ME?
Plan for the last spring frost in Bangor around May 4 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Bangor, ME?
Expect Bangor's first fall frost near October 4 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Bangor in?
Bangor is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Bangor?
Bangor has about 153 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (October 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bangor?
For Bangor, sow tomatoes indoors about March 9–March 23 and move the seedlings out around May 11, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bangor
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bangor’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at BANGOR INTL AP, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bangor, ME — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014606. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maine/bangor.