Frost dates for 04985West Forks, ME
The average last spring frost in West Forks is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 13 · May 27 · Jun 8 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Oct 3 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 15 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 30 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Forks
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 04985 is matched to the NOAA station Long Falls Dam, ME, 24.6 km away, at 1,160 ft elevation (64 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Falls Dam, ME (used) | 1,160 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Moosehead, ME | 1,037 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Greenville Maine Forestry Svc, ME | 1,037 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Brassua Dam, ME | 1,069 ft | May 23 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near West Forks
- Caratunk, ME 04925 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Greenville Junction, ME 04442 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Shirley Mills, ME 04485 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Greenville, ME 04441 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Jackman, ME 04945 · last May 26, first Sep 23
- Bingham, ME 04920 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Abbot, ME 04406 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Monson, ME 04464 · last May 12, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Forks, ME?
- For ZIP code 04985, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Long Falls Dam, ME weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in West Forks, ME?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 04985?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.