Frost dates for 04088Waterford, ME
The average last spring frost in Waterford is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 5 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 12 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 5 · May 17 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 25 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterford
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04088 is matched to the NOAA station Bridgton 3 Nw, ME, 13.9 km away, at 508 ft elevation (204 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgton 3 Nw, ME (used) | 508 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Bethel 6 Sse, ME | 790 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Fryeburg E Slopes Ap, ME | 445 ft | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| Rumford 6Sw, ME | 630 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Waterford
- North Waterford, ME 04267 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- North Bridgton, ME 04057 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Harrison, ME 04040 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Norway, ME 04268 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Center Lovell, ME 04016 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Greenwood, ME 04255 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Bridgton, ME 04009 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Stoneham, ME 04231 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterford, ME?
- For ZIP code 04088, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bridgton 3 Nw, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Waterford, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04088?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.