Frost dates for 04046Kennebunkport, ME
The average last spring frost in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport
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 04046 is matched to the NOAA station Kennebunkport, ME, 3.5 km away, at 20 ft elevation (36 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 |
| Portland Intl Jetport, ME | 45 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Kennebunkport
- Kennebunk, ME 04043 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Biddeford, ME 04007 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- West Kennebunk, ME 04094 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Cape Porpoise, ME 04014 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Biddeford Pool, ME 04006 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Wells, ME 04090 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Ocean Park, ME 04063 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Saco, ME 04072 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kennebunkport, ME?
- For ZIP code 04046, 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 Kennebunkport, 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 04046?
- 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.