Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 04453 (Penobscot 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, Lincoln Sanitary District/wtp, ME (19 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)153 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 04453, 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
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 44°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Old Town 2 W (19 mi).
4-inch depth
50°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 Old Town 2 W (19 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 04453 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 50°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.
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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 4 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 16 |
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 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 20 |
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 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
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 04453
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 6). 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 11–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 11 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 16–30 (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 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (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 28–Aug 25 (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: Lincoln Sanitary District/wtp, ME (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00174683), elevation 190 ft, 18.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town 2 W, ME | 19 mi | May 13 | Sep 28 |
| Barnard, ME | 19 mi | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Dover-foxcroft Wwtp, ME | 19 mi | May 15 | Sep 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 04453
When is the last frost in 04453?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 04453 is May 4. For a more cautious planting date, use May 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 04453?
The average first fall freeze is October 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 24.
What hardiness zone is 04453?
ZIP 04453 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 04453 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
04463 Milo 04448 Howland 04410 04475 04468 Old Town 04493 04422 04418
Other ZIP codes in Penobscot County
04401 04410 04411 04412 04417 04418 04419 04422 04427 04428 04430 04434 04435 04444 04448 04449 04450 04455 04456 04457 04460 04461 04468 04469 All Penobscot 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.