Frost dates for 04345Gardiner, ME
The average last spring frost in Gardiner is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 1 · May 14 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 19 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gardiner
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 | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04345 is matched to the NOAA station Gardiner, ME, 1.5 km away, at 133 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardiner, ME (used) | 133 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Augusta State Ap, ME | 350 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 16 |
| Newcastle, ME | 213 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Wiscasset Ap, ME | 68 ft | May 8 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Gardiner
- South Gardiner, ME 04359 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Randolph, ME 04346 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Farmingdale, ME 04344 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Hallowell, ME 04347 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Augusta, ME 04333 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Richmond, ME 04357 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Litchfield, ME 04350 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Dresden, ME 04342 · last May 8, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gardiner, ME?
- For ZIP code 04345, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gardiner, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Gardiner, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04345?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.