Frost dates for 04286West Bethel, ME
The average last spring frost in West Bethel is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 4 · May 17 · May 30 | Sep 17 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 22 · May 4 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Bethel
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04286 is matched to the NOAA station Rumford 1 Sse, ME, 29.3 km away, at 630 ft elevation (49 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rumford 1 Sse, ME (used) | 630 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Bethel 6 Sse, ME | 790 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Rumford 6Sw, ME | 630 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Berlin, NH | 920 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near West Bethel
- Bethel, ME 04217 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Hanover, ME 04237 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Stoneham, ME 04231 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Bryant Pond, ME 04219 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Greenwood, ME 04255 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- North Waterford, ME 04267 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Gorham, NH 03581 · last May 23, first Sep 22
- West Paris, ME 04289 · last May 1, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Bethel, ME?
- For ZIP code 04286, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rumford 1 Sse, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in West Bethel, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04286?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.