Wells, ME frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Wells compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wells falls between April 20 and May 14, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 72% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 48 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Wells, ME
Wells, ME frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 14, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wells, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 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 Cape Neddick, ME weather station, 11 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
Frost dates near Wells
- Moody May 1 · Oct 14
- Cape Porpoise May 9 · Oct 3
- Ogunquit May 1 · Oct 14
- Kennebunk May 9 · Oct 3
- North Berwick May 1 · Oct 14
- West Kennebunk May 9 · Oct 3
- Cape Neddick May 1 · Oct 14
- Kennebunkport May 9 · Oct 3
- York Beach May 1 · Oct 14
- South Berwick May 1 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wells, ME?
The median last spring frost in Wells, ME is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wells, ME?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Wells, ME?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wells, ME?
Wells, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.