Fall in zone 4bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 04743 (Fort Kent, 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, Ft Kent, ME (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)121 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4b-25 to -20°F avg. coldest night
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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
44°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 41°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Limestone 4 NNW (42 mi).
4-inch depth
44°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 42°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Limestone 4 NNW (42 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 04743 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 44°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) | May 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 6 |
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 11 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 4 | Sep 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 23 | Sep 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 9 | Oct 3 |
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 04743
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 24). 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 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 2–23 (transplant) Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (transplant) Jul 16–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 2–30 (transplant) Jun 18–Jul 16 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 23 (transplant) Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 2–30 (transplant) Jun 18–Jul 16 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 18–Jul 16 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 18–Jul 16 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 18–Jul 16 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 11–25 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 2–16 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 18–May 30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 2–16 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 13–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 11–25 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 28–Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 11–25 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 13 (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: Ft Kent, ME (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00172878), elevation 610 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allagash, ME | 15 mi | Jun 2 | Sep 15 |
| Frenchville Aroostook AP, ME | 21 mi | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Van Buren 2, ME | 37 mi | May 23 | Sep 26 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 27 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 04743
When is the last frost in 04743?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 04743 is May 23. For a more cautious planting date, use June 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 04743?
The average first fall freeze is September 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 11.
What hardiness zone is 04743?
ZIP 04743 is in USDA zone 4b (-25 to -20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 04743 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
04781 04774 04739 Eagle Lake 04745 04772 04779 04756 Madawaska 04773
Other ZIP codes in Aroostook County
04451 04459 04471 04497 04730 04732 04733 04734 04735 04736 04737 04739 04740 04742 04745 04746 04747 04750 04756 04757 04758 04760 04761 04762 All Aroostook County frost dates · Maine frost dates
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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.