Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 04071 (Cumberland 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, Windham 2NW, ME (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)172 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 04071, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 N (54 mi), Durham 2 SSW (59 mi), Hubbard Brook (61 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 N (54 mi), Durham 2 SSW (59 mi), Hubbard Brook (61 mi).
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 04071 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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.
Your average first frost is Oct 20: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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 18 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 30 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 12 |
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) | Oct 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 3 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 11 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 17 | Nov 1 |
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 04071
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 20). 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 5–19 | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 19–Mar 5 | May 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 19–Mar 5 | May 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 5–19 | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 5–19 | Apr 9–30 (transplant) Apr 2–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–30 (transplant) Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–May 7 (transplant) Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 26–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 5–19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 21–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 2–9 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 2–9 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 2–9 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 2–9 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 2–9 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 5–19 | May 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (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: Windham 2NW, ME (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00179720), elevation 443 ft, 2.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland, ME | 10 mi | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Gray, ME | 12 mi | Apr 28 | Oct 19 |
| East Hiram, ME | 13 mi | May 12 | Oct 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 04071
When is the last frost in 04071?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 04071 is April 30. For a more cautious planting date, use May 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 04071?
The average first fall freeze is October 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 5.
What hardiness zone is 04071?
ZIP 04071 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 04071 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
04015 Casco 04039 Gray 04029 04062 North Windham 04055 Naples 04084 Standish 04024 04085 Steep Falls
Other ZIP codes in Cumberland County
04003 04009 04011 04015 04017 04019 04021 04024 04029 04032 04038 04039 04040 04050 04055 04057 04062 04066 04069 04074 04079 04084 04085 04091 All Cumberland County frost dates · Maine frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.