Frost dates for 04856Rockport, ME
The average last spring frost in Rockport is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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) | Apr 28 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 15 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rockport
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 | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04856 is matched to the NOAA station W Rockport 1 Nnw, ME, 4.5 km away, at 361 ft elevation (220 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Rockport 1 Nnw, ME (used) | 361 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Tenants Harbor, ME | 21 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| Belfast, ME | 20 ft | May 7 | Oct 5 |
| Newcastle, ME | 213 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Rockport
- West Rockport, ME 04865 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Camden, ME 04843 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Rockland, ME 04841 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Hope, ME 04847 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Lincolnville Center, ME 04850 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Owls Head, ME 04854 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Lincolnville, ME 04849 · last May 7, first Oct 5
- Thomaston, ME 04861 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rockport, ME?
- For ZIP code 04856, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Rockport 1 Nnw, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Rockport, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04856?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.