Fort Kent Mills, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 23median date
First fall frostSep 24median date
Growing season124 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Fort Kent Mills compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fort Kent Mills falls between May 8 and June 6, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 11 and October 5.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 124-day growing season is longer than 4% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 201 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 8 |
| 50% (median) | May 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 11 |
| 50% (median) | September 24 |
| 90% (late) | October 5 |
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 Fort Kent Mills, ME
Fort Kent Mills, ME frost dates — last frost May 23, first frost Sep 24, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27Sow outdoors: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fort Kent Mills, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | Apr 25 – May 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — |
| Basil | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 30 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Beets | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
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 Ft Kent, ME weather station, 2 km away (elevation 610 ft (186 m)).
Frost dates near Fort Kent Mills
- Fort Kent May 23 · Sep 24
- Wallagrass May 23 · Sep 24
- Frenchville May 6 · Oct 2
- Saint Agatha May 6 · Oct 2
- Madawaska May 6 · Oct 2
- Sinclair May 6 · Oct 2
- Eagle Lake May 23 · Sep 24
- Saint David May 6 · Oct 2
- Saint Francis Jun 2 · Sep 15
- Grand Isle May 6 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fort Kent Mills, ME?
The median last spring frost in Fort Kent Mills, ME is May 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fort Kent Mills, ME?
The median first fall frost is September 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 11.
How long is the growing season in Fort Kent Mills, ME?
About 124 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fort Kent Mills, ME?
Fort Kent Mills, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.