Frost dates for 04764Oxbow, ME
The average last spring frost in Oxbow is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 11 · May 27 · Jun 8 | Sep 7 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 13 · May 30 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 1 · May 13 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oxbow
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04764 is matched to the NOAA station Patten 2, ME, 41.9 km away, at 820 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patten 2, ME (used) | 820 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Presque Isle, ME | 599 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
| Bridgewater, ME | 420 ft | May 25 | Sep 18 |
| Houlton 5N, ME | 390 ft | May 19 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Oxbow
- Ashland, ME 04732 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Sheridan, ME 04775 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Smyrna Mills, ME 04780 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Mapleton, ME 04757 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Portage, ME 04768 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Patten, ME 04765 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Oakfield, ME 04763 · last May 27, first Sep 18
- Island Falls, ME 04747 · last May 13, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oxbow, ME?
- For ZIP code 04764, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Patten 2, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Oxbow, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04764?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.