Frost dates for 04924Canaan, ME
The average last spring frost in Canaan is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 7 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 8 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 28 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Canaan
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04924 is matched to the NOAA station Madison, ME, 27.4 km away, at 220 ft elevation (121 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, ME (used) | 220 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Harmony, ME | 320 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Waterville Trtmt Plt, ME | 73 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
| Corinna, ME | 297 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Canaan
- Hinckley, ME 04944 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Clinton, ME 04927 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Skowhegan, ME 04976 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- China Village, ME 04926 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Pittsfield, ME 04967 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Shawmut, ME 04975 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Burnham, ME 04922 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Fairfield, ME 04937 · last May 2, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Canaan, ME?
- For ZIP code 04924, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madison, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Canaan, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04924?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.