Frost dates for 04605Ellsworth, ME
The average last spring frost in Ellsworth is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 8 · May 21 · Jun 3 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 6 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ellsworth
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04605 is matched to the NOAA station E Surry, ME, 7.8 km away, at 105 ft elevation (98 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Surry, ME (used) | 105 ft | May 8 | Oct 9 |
| Acadia Np, ME | 470 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Bangor Intl Ap, ME | 148 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| Orono, ME | 115 ft | May 1 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Ellsworth
- Surry, ME 04684 · last May 8, first Oct 9
- Hancock, ME 04640 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Franklin, ME 04634 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Salsbury Cove, ME 04672 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- East Blue Hill, ME 04629 · last May 8, first Oct 9
- Blue Hill, ME 04614 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Hulls Cove, ME 04644 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Sorrento, ME 04677 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ellsworth, ME?
- For ZIP code 04605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Surry, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Ellsworth, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04605?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.