Caratunk, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season140 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Caratunk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Caratunk falls between April 30 and May 27, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 140-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 191 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Caratunk, ME
Caratunk, ME frost dates — last frost May 13, first frost Sep 30, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Caratunk, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Long Falls Dam, ME weather station, 20 km away (elevation 1,161 ft (354 m)).
Frost dates near Caratunk
- West Forks May 13 · Sep 30
- Bingham May 13 · Sep 30
- Shirley Mills May 7 · Oct 9
- Abbot May 6 · Oct 7
- Solon May 8 · Oct 5
- Greenville Junction May 7 · Oct 9
- Kingfield May 13 · Sep 30
- Monson May 7 · Oct 9
- Greenville May 7 · Oct 9
- New Portland May 8 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Caratunk, ME?
The median last spring frost in Caratunk, ME is May 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Caratunk, ME?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Caratunk, ME?
About 140 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Caratunk, ME?
Caratunk, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.