Frost dates for 04411Bradley, ME
The average last spring frost in Bradley is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 28 · Jun 9 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 28 | 161 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bradley
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04411 is matched to the NOAA station Old Town 2 W, ME, 6.6 km away, at 127 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town 2 W, ME (used) | 127 ft | May 13 | Sep 28 |
| Orono, ME | 115 ft | May 1 | Oct 6 |
| Bangor Intl Ap, ME | 148 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| E Surry, ME | 105 ft | May 8 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Bradley
- Milford, ME 04461 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Stillwater, ME 04489 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Old Town, ME 04468 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Orono, ME 04473 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Eddington, ME 04428 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Bangor, ME 04401 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Brewer, ME 04412 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Greenbush, ME 04418 · last May 13, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bradley, ME?
- For ZIP code 04411, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Old Town 2 W, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Bradley, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. 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 04411?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.