Frost dates for 04491Vanceboro, ME
The average last spring frost in Vanceboro is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (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 12 · May 27 · Jun 9 | Sep 7 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 116 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 13 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vanceboro
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 11 |
| 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) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04491 is matched to the NOAA station Vanceboro No 2, ME, 0.3 km away, at 420 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanceboro No 2, ME (used) | 420 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Topsfield 2, ME | 620 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Danforth, ME | 475 ft | May 25 | Sep 24 |
| Woodland, ME | 123 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Vanceboro
- Lambert Lake, ME 04454 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Brookton, ME 04413 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Topsfield, ME 04490 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Waite, ME 04492 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Danforth, ME 04424 · last May 25, first Sep 24
- Princeton, ME 04668 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Calais, ME 04619 · last Apr 21, first Oct 26
- Orient, ME 04471 · last May 27, first Sep 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vanceboro, ME?
- For ZIP code 04491, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vanceboro No 2, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Vanceboro, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04491?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.