Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Biddeford, ME

Biddeford, ME is in USDA zone 5b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 3.

Biddeford on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostMay 9
First frostOct 3
Growing season146 days

5b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Biddeford, ME…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Biddeford, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Kennebunkport, ME, elevation 20 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Biddeford

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 3) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 04005 came on Apr 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Maine

493 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 55

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 169

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 153

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Biddeford, ME.

Soil in Biddeford, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04005 is Buxton — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5.5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Buxton silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 04005; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Biddeford, ME

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,878base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation50.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 52 °F 71°52° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 58 °F 77°58° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 FebMarch: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 OctNovember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kennebunkport, ME (9 mi away); precipitation: Biddeford 1.5 Nne, ME (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Biddeford

040055b
−15 to −10 °F
040075b
−15 to −10 °F

Maine planting zones →

Questions about Biddeford

What planting zone is Biddeford, ME?

Biddeford, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map (5b: −15 to −10 °F).

When is the last frost in Biddeford, ME?

The median last spring frost is May 9 and the median first fall frost is October 3 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kennebunkport station).

When can I plant a garden in Biddeford, ME?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 28 – Apr 18; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 16, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Biddeford, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 25 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Biddeford, ME get?

About 50.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).