Frost dates for 04216Andover, ME
The average last spring frost in Andover is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 18 · May 31 · Jun 12 | Sep 3 · Sep 15 · Sep 26 | 105 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Andover
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04216 is matched to the NOAA station Andover 2, ME, 1.2 km away, at 822 ft elevation (116 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover 2, ME (used) | 822 ft | May 19 | Sep 25 |
| Middle Dam, ME | 1,460 ft | May 19 | Oct 1 |
| Rumford 6Sw, ME | 630 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Rumford 1 Sse, ME | 630 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Andover
- East Andover, ME 04226 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Roxbury, ME 04275 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Newry, ME 04261 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Hanover, ME 04237 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Rumford, ME 04276 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Mexico, ME 04257 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Bethel, ME 04217 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- West Bethel, ME 04286 · last May 4, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Andover, ME?
- For ZIP code 04216, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Andover 2, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Andover, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04216?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.