Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for West Buxton, ME
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring
As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.
While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.
Key dates for your spring planting:
- By June 14, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
- Around May 30, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
- Before May 20, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them
If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 16° | Apr 14 | Apr 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 1 | Mar 29 | Mar 26 | Mar 23 | Mar 19 | Mar 14 |
| Last 20° | Apr 24 | Apr 18 | Apr 14 | Apr 11 | Apr 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 2 | Mar 29 | Mar 23 |
| Last 24° | May 1 | Apr 28 | Apr 25 | Apr 23 | Apr 22 | Apr 20 | Apr 18 | Apr 16 | Apr 12 |
| Last 28° | May 15 | May 11 | May 9 | May 7 | May 5 | May 3 | May 1 | Apr 28 | Apr 25 |
| Last 32° | May 28 | May 25 | May 22 | May 19 | May 17 | May 15 | May 13 | May 10 | May 6 |
| Last 36° | Jun 14 | Jun 9 | Jun 5 | Jun 2 | May 30 | May 27 | May 24 | May 20 | May 15 |
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall
As summer ends in West Buxton, ME, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.
The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:
These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 16° | Oct 25 | Nov 1 | Nov 6 | Nov 10 | Nov 14 | Nov 18 | Nov 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 5 |
| First 20° | Oct 16 | Oct 22 | Oct 25 | Oct 29 | Nov 1 | Nov 4 | Nov 7 | Nov 11 | Nov 16 |
| First 24° | Oct 5 | Oct 9 | Oct 12 | Oct 15 | Oct 17 | Oct 20 | Oct 23 | Oct 26 | Oct 30 |
| First 28° | Sep 20 | Sep 24 | Sep 27 | Sep 29 | Oct 2 | Oct 4 | Oct 6 | Oct 9 | Oct 13 |
| First 32° | Sep 8 | Sep 13 | Sep 16 | Sep 19 | Sep 21 | Sep 23 | Sep 26 | Sep 29 | Oct 4 |
| First 36° | Aug 31 | Sep 4 | Sep 7 | Sep 10 | Sep 12 | Sep 15 | Sep 17 | Sep 20 | Sep 24 |
📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations
- Portland Jetport, ME 19.0 mi
- East Hiram, ME 19.5 mi
- Sanford, ME 20.0 mi
- Bridgton, ME 30.7 mi
- Lewiston, ME 39.2 mi
- Durham, NH 43.8 mi
- Epping, NH 56.1 mi
- Rumford, ME 60.3 mi
- Lakeport, NH 62.0 mi
- Pinkham Notch, NH 62.9 mi
Or enter a new zipcode:
Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.