Frost dates for 04861Thomaston, ME
The average last spring frost in Thomaston is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (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 29 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 14 · Apr 24 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 19 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thomaston
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 – Jul 5 |
| 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 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 5 |
| 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 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04861 is matched to the NOAA station Tenants Harbor, ME, 10.5 km away, at 21 ft elevation (123 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenants Harbor, ME (used) | 21 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| W Rockport 1 Nnw, ME | 361 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Newcastle, ME | 213 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Belfast, ME | 20 ft | May 7 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Thomaston
- Warren, ME 04864 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- South Thomaston, ME 04858 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Rockland, ME 04841 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Owls Head, ME 04854 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Spruce Head, ME 04859 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Cushing, ME 04563 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- West Rockport, ME 04865 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Rockport, ME 04856 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thomaston, ME?
- For ZIP code 04861, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tenants Harbor, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Thomaston, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04861?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.