Dresden, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season152 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Dresden compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dresden falls between April 26 and May 20, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 152-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 160 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 61 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
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 Dresden, ME
Dresden, ME frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 7, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dresden, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Wiscasset Ap, ME weather station, 13 km away (elevation 69 ft (21 m)).
Frost dates near Dresden
- Richmond May 1 · Oct 11
- Alna Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Wiscasset May 8 · Oct 7
- South Gardiner May 1 · Oct 11
- Bowdoinham May 10 · Oct 6
- Woolwich May 10 · Oct 6
- Gardiner May 1 · Oct 11
- Edgecomb May 8 · Oct 7
- Newcastle Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Randolph May 1 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dresden, ME?
The median last spring frost in Dresden, ME is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dresden, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Dresden, ME?
About 152 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dresden, ME?
Dresden, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.