Frost dates for 04424Danforth, ME
The average last spring frost in Danforth is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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 24 · Jun 5 · Jun 20 | Aug 29 · Sep 11 · Sep 26 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 10 · May 25 · Jun 8 | Sep 8 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 11 · May 27 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 143 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Danforth
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04424 is matched to the NOAA station Danforth, ME, 1 km away, at 475 ft elevation (78 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danforth, ME (used) | 475 ft | May 25 | Sep 24 |
| Topsfield 2, ME | 620 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Vanceboro No 2, ME | 420 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Houlton Intl Ap, ME | 476 ft | May 27 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Danforth
- Brookton, ME 04413 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Wytopitlock, ME 04497 · last May 25, first Sep 24
- Orient, ME 04471 · last May 27, first Sep 18
- Topsfield, ME 04490 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Kingman, ME 04451 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Lambert Lake, ME 04454 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Springfield, ME 04487 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Vanceboro, ME 04491 · last May 13, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Danforth, ME?
- For ZIP code 04424, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Danforth, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in Danforth, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04424?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.