Clayton Lake, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 30median date
First fall frostSep 13median date
Growing season106 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Clayton Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clayton Lake falls between May 12 and June 12, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 29 and September 27.
- The median last frost is 24 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 106-day growing season is among the shortest of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 3b median of May 17. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 3b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 211 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 29 |
| 50% (median) | September 13 |
| 90% (late) | September 27 |
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 Clayton Lake, ME
Clayton Lake, ME frost dates — last frost May 30, first frost Sep 13, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 2 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 20 to Jul 4Sow outdoors: Jun 20 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Oct 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clayton Lake, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | May 2 – Jun 6 | Jul 19 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | — |
| Basil | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cucumbers | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 106 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 |
| Beets | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 16 – Jun 13 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 106 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
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 Clayton Lake, ME weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,001 ft (305 m)).
Frost dates near Clayton Lake
- Saint Francis Jun 2 · Sep 15
- Eagle Lake May 23 · Sep 24
- Oxbow May 13 · Sep 30
- Portage May 7 · Oct 1
- Sheridan May 14 · Sep 26
- Ashland May 14 · Sep 26
- Rockwood May 21 · Sep 21
- Wallagrass May 23 · Sep 24
- Estcourt Station Jun 2 · Sep 15
- Fort Kent Mills May 23 · Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clayton Lake, ME?
The median last spring frost in Clayton Lake, ME is May 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clayton Lake, ME?
The median first fall frost is September 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 29.
How long is the growing season in Clayton Lake, ME?
About 106 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clayton Lake, ME?
Clayton Lake, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.