Frost dates for 04737Clayton Lake, ME
The average last spring frost in Clayton Lake is May 30 and the average first fall frost is September 13, giving a typical growing season of about 106 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 30
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 13
- Growing season
- 106 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 210 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) | — | — | 81 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 12 · May 30 · Jun 12 | Aug 29 · Sep 13 · Sep 27 | 106 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 31 | Sep 11 · Sep 27 · Oct 11 | 134 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clayton Lake
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 29 – Jul 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jun 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – May 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 4 – Jun 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Aug 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04737 is matched to the NOAA station Clayton Lake, ME, 0.1 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Lake, ME (used) | 1,000 ft | May 30 | Sep 13 |
| Allagash, ME | 596 ft | Jun 2 | Sep 15 |
| Pittston Farm, ME | 1,100 ft | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| Pittston Farms Nepp, ME | 1,076 ft | May 21 | Sep 21 |
Frost dates near Clayton Lake
- Saint Francis, ME 04774 · last Jun 2, first Sep 15
- Eagle Lake, ME 04739 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Oxbow, ME 04764 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Portage, ME 04768 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Sheridan, ME 04775 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Ashland, ME 04732 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Rockwood, ME 04478 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Wallagrass, ME 04781 · last May 23, first Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clayton Lake, ME?
- For ZIP code 04737, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clayton Lake, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Clayton Lake, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04737?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 106 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.