Frost dates for 04240 — Lewiston, ME
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Lewiston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lewiston falls between April 11 and May 6, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Maine median of May 6.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 457 Maine places with a regular frost season (state median 154 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, ME, 48 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Lewiston, ME
Frost dates for 04240 — Lewiston, ME — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 19, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lewiston, ME
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| 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 Lewiston, ME weather station, 2 km away (elevation 180 ft (55 m)).
ZIP codes in Lewiston: 04240 04241 04243
Frost dates near Lewiston
- Auburn Apr 25 · Oct 19
- Sabattus Apr 25 · Oct 19
- Lisbon May 15 · Oct 2
- Greene Apr 25 · Oct 19
- Danville May 3 · Oct 7
- East Poland May 3 · Oct 7
- Minot Apr 25 · Oct 19
- Durham May 15 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lewiston, ME?
The median last spring frost in Lewiston, ME is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lewiston, ME?
Lewiston, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.