Frost dates for 04457Lincoln, ME
The average last spring frost in Lincoln is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (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 5 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 4 · May 16 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 24 · May 4 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lincoln
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 04457 is matched to the NOAA station Lincoln Sanitary District/Wtp, ME, 2.7 km away, at 190 ft elevation (246 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Sanitary District/Wtp, ME (used) | 190 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Millinocket Wastewater, ME | 360 ft | May 17 | Sep 29 |
| Millinocket Muni Ap, ME | 406 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Millinocket, ME | 360 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Lincoln
- West Enfield, ME 04493 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Burlington, ME 04417 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Winn, ME 04495 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Lee, ME 04455 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Howland, ME 04448 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Passadumkeag, ME 04475 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Mattawamkeag, ME 04459 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Medway, ME 04460 · last May 9, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lincoln, ME?
- For ZIP code 04457, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lincoln Sanitary District/Wtp, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Lincoln, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04457?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.