Frost dates for 04735Bridgewater, ME
The average last spring frost in Bridgewater is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 115 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 115 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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 26 · Jun 8 · Jun 22 | Aug 24 · Sep 6 · Sep 20 | 89 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 4 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 115 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 142 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bridgewater
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04735 is matched to the NOAA station Bridgewater, ME, 0.7 km away, at 420 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater, ME (used) | 420 ft | May 25 | Sep 18 |
| Houlton 5N, ME | 390 ft | May 19 | Sep 23 |
| Presque Isle, ME | 599 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
| Houlton Intl Ap, ME | 476 ft | May 27 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Bridgewater
- Blaine, ME 04734 · last May 25, first Sep 18
- Mars Hill, ME 04758 · last May 25, first Sep 18
- Monticello, ME 04760 · last May 19, first Sep 23
- Westfield, ME 04787 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Easton, ME 04740 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Presque Isle, ME 04769 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Houlton, ME 04730 · last May 27, first Sep 18
- Mapleton, ME 04757 · last May 14, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bridgewater, ME?
- For ZIP code 04735, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bridgewater, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Bridgewater, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04735?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 115 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.