Frost dates for 04535Alna, ME
The average last spring frost in Alna is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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) | Apr 29 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 27 | Oct 15 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alna
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 | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04535 is matched to the NOAA station Newcastle, ME, 9.2 km away, at 213 ft elevation (105 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle, ME (used) | 213 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Wiscasset Ap, ME | 68 ft | May 8 | Oct 7 |
| Gardiner, ME | 133 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Westport Island, ME | 90 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Alna
- Dresden, ME 04342 · last May 8, first Oct 7
- Newcastle, ME 04553 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Wiscasset, ME 04578 · last May 8, first Oct 7
- Isle Of Springs, ME 04549 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Squirrel Island, ME 04570 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Nobleboro, ME 04555 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Edgecomb, ME 04556 · last May 8, first Oct 7
- Whitefield, ME 04353 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alna, ME?
- For ZIP code 04535, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newcastle, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Alna, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04535?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.