Frost dates for 04487Springfield, ME
The average last spring frost in Springfield is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 6 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 10 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 6 · May 18 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 25 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04487 is matched to the NOAA station Topsfield 2, ME, 30.4 km away, at 620 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsfield 2, ME (used) | 620 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Lincoln Sanitary District/Wtp, ME | 190 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Danforth, ME | 475 ft | May 25 | Sep 24 |
| Grand Lake Stream, ME | 290 ft | May 4 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Lee, ME 04455 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Winn, ME 04495 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Kingman, ME 04451 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Mattawamkeag, ME 04459 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Wytopitlock, ME 04497 · last May 25, first Sep 24
- Topsfield, ME 04490 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Burlington, ME 04417 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Brookton, ME 04413 · last May 6, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, ME?
- For ZIP code 04487, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Topsfield 2, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04487?
- 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.