Frost dates for 04750Limestone, ME
The average last spring frost in Limestone is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 16 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 1 · Sep 14 · Sep 27 | 104 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 16 · Jun 1 | Sep 12 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Limestone
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04750 is matched to the NOAA station Limestone 4 Nnw, ME, 4.9 km away, at 737 ft elevation (117 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone 4 Nnw, ME (used) | 737 ft | May 16 | Sep 24 |
| Caribou Muni Ap, ME | 624 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
| Van Buren 2, ME | 456 ft | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| Presque Isle, ME | 599 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Limestone
- Limestone, ME 04751 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Caribou, ME 04736 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Fort Fairfield, ME 04742 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- New Sweden, ME 04762 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Stockholm, ME 04783 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Washburn, ME 04786 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Crouseville, ME 04738 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Van Buren, ME 04785 · last May 23, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Limestone, ME?
- For ZIP code 04750, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Limestone 4 Nnw, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Limestone, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04750?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.