Frost dates for 04043Kennebunk, ME
The average last spring frost in Kennebunk is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 146 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 146 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 7 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 9 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 19 | 146 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kennebunk
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04043 is matched to the NOAA station Kennebunkport, ME, 7 km away, at 20 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennebunkport, ME (used) | 20 ft | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| Cape Neddick, ME | 152 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Sanford 2 Nnw, ME | 289 ft | May 16 | Sep 30 |
| Hollis, ME | 304 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Kennebunk
- West Kennebunk, ME 04094 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Cape Porpoise, ME 04014 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Kennebunkport, ME 04046 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Biddeford, ME 04007 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Wells, ME 04090 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Moody, ME 04054 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- North Berwick, ME 03906 · last May 16, first Sep 30
- Ogunquit, ME 03907 · last May 9, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kennebunk, ME?
- For ZIP code 04043, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kennebunkport, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Kennebunk, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04043?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 146 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.