Frost dates for 04901Waterville, ME
The average last spring frost in Waterville is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 3 · May 14 · May 27 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 11 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 30 · Oct 10 · Oct 27 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 22 · May 3 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterville
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04901 is matched to the NOAA station Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME, 4.2 km away, at 73 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME (used) | 73 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
| Augusta State Ap, ME | 350 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 16 |
| New Sharon, ME | 480 ft | May 7 | Oct 2 |
| Madison, ME | 220 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Waterville
- Waterville, ME 04903 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- North Vassalboro, ME 04962 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Shawmut, ME 04975 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Oakland, ME 04963 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Fairfield, ME 04937 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- East Vassalboro, ME 04935 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Albion, ME 04910 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Clinton, ME 04927 · last May 2, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterville, ME?
- For ZIP code 04901, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Waterville, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04901?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.