Frost dates for 04061North Waterboro, ME
The average last spring frost in North Waterboro is May 14 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 14 · May 27 · Jun 8 | Sep 6 · Sep 19 · Oct 1 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 3 · May 13 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 27 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Waterboro
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04061 is matched to the NOAA station Hollis, ME, 4.5 km away, at 304 ft elevation (34 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollis, ME (used) | 304 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| West Buxton 2 Nnw, ME | 220 ft | May 7 | Oct 4 |
| Sanford 2 Nnw, ME | 289 ft | May 16 | Sep 30 |
| East Hiram, ME | 528 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near North Waterboro
- East Waterboro, ME 04030 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Limerick, ME 04048 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Waterboro, ME 04087 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Limington, ME 04049 · last May 7, first Oct 4
- Hollis Center, ME 04042 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Shapleigh, ME 04076 · last May 16, first Sep 30
- Newfield, ME 04056 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- East Parsonsfield, ME 04028 · last May 12, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Waterboro, ME?
- For ZIP code 04061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hollis, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in North Waterboro, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04061?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.