Pownal, ME frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Pownal compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pownal falls between April 15 and May 10, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 8 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 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 25 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Pownal, ME
Pownal, ME frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 19, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pownal, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Gray, ME weather station, 5 km away (elevation 377 ft (115 m)).
Frost dates near Pownal
- North Yarmouth Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Freeport Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Durham May 15 · Oct 2
- South Freeport Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Yarmouth Apr 28 · Oct 19
- New Gloucester May 3 · Oct 7
- Cumberland Center Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Gray Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Bustins Island May 2 · Oct 10
- Cumberland Foreside Apr 26 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pownal, ME?
The median last spring frost in Pownal, ME is April 28. 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 Pownal, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Pownal, ME?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pownal, ME?
Pownal, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.