Bristol, ME frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between April 16 and May 10, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 142 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 69 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bristol, ME
Bristol, ME frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 18, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Newcastle, ME weather station, 11 km away (elevation 213 ft (65 m)).
Frost dates near Bristol
- Round Pond Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Walpole Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Pemaquid Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Chamberlain Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Bremen Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Isle Of Springs Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Squirrel Island Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Damariscotta Apr 27 · Oct 18
- New Harbor Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Edgecomb May 8 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, ME?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, ME is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, ME?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, ME?
Bristol, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.