Frost dates for 04785Van Buren, ME
The average last spring frost in Van Buren is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 125 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 125 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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 23 · Jun 4 · Jun 17 | Sep 2 · Sep 15 · Sep 29 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 8 · May 23 · Jun 5 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Van Buren
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 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04785 is matched to the NOAA station Van Buren 2, ME, 1 km away, at 456 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren 2, ME (used) | 456 ft | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| Limestone 4 Nnw, ME | 737 ft | May 16 | Sep 24 |
| Frenchville Aroostook Ap, ME | 988 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Caribou Muni Ap, ME | 624 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Van Buren
- Stockholm, ME 04783 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Grand Isle, ME 04746 · last May 23, first Sep 26
- New Sweden, ME 04762 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Limestone, ME 04750 · last May 16, first Sep 24
- Sinclair, ME 04779 · last May 23, first Sep 24
- Saint David, ME 04773 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Saint Agatha, ME 04772 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Caribou, ME 04736 · last May 7, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Van Buren, ME?
- For ZIP code 04785, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Van Buren 2, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Van Buren, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04785?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 125 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.