Frost dates for ZIP 04429 (Hancock County, ME)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Bangor Intl AP, ME (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)152 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
49°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Old Town 2 W, 15 mi away. Daily averages: Wed 52°, Thu 51°, Fri 49°.
4-inch depth
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Old Town 2 W, 15 mi away. Daily averages: Wed 52°, Thu 52°, Fri 51°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 04429 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 51°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 24 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 4 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 17 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 4 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 04429
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 4). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 9–23 | Apr 13–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–30 (transplant) Jul 26–Aug 23 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–30 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) Jun 28–Jul 26 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) Jun 28–Jul 26 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 26 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 26 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 26 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 14–Jul 5 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 11 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 12–26 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 25–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 9–23 | May 11–18 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Bangor Intl AP, ME (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00014606), elevation 148 ft, 11.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orono, ME | 13 mi | May 1 | Oct 6 |
| Old Town 2 W, ME | 15 mi | May 13 | Sep 28 |
| E Surry, ME | 18 mi | May 8 | Oct 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 04429
When is the last frost in 04429?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 04429 is May 4. For a more cautious planting date, use May 17, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 04429?
The average first fall freeze is October 4. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 23.
What hardiness zone is 04429?
ZIP 04429 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 04429 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
04428 04412 Brewer 04474 04416 Bucksport 04472 04431 04605 Ellsworth 04411 Bradley
Other ZIP codes in Hancock County
04408 04416 04421 04431 04472 04476 04605 04607 04609 04612 04613 04614 04616 04617 04624 04625 04627 04634 04635 04640 04642 04646 04650 04653 All Hancock County frost dates · Maine frost dates
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