Frost Dates for Waterville, ME 04901
Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost October 5 · 150 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 04901 has about 27,900 people.
Moderate season: 150 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 18 (20 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 14 (18 days).
Frost probability for 04901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 8 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 5 | October 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GARDINER (41.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 150-day season in Waterville
In Waterville (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 27 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 17. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 22. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 13–May 22 | 213 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 13. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 22. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 13–May 1 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 10. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 10. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 255 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 3–May 29 | 206 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 15. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 24 | May 22–May 22 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after May 1. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 13 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 10. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Apr 3 | May 29–May 29 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 29. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 10–May 1 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 15. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 27 | May 15–May 29 | 150 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 150 available after May 15. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after May 15. | — |
| Sage | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 15. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 13 | May 8–May 22 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 27 | May 8–May 15 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 8–May 22 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 129 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 129 available after May 15. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 8–May 22 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 8. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 15. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 15. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 22. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Waterville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 23), Pumpkin (May 23), Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Waterville, ME (ZIP 04901)?
The median last spring frost date for Waterville, ME (ZIP code 04901) is around May 8. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 28; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Waterville, ME?
The median first fall frost date for Waterville, ME is around October 5. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Waterville, ME?
The frost-free growing season in Waterville is about 150 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Waterville (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Waterville, ME?
Waterville, ME is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Waterville, ME?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Waterville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Waterville?
Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Waterville?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Gardiner (ZIP 04345) has 161 frost-free days, 11 more than Waterville (ZIP 04901). See Gardiner ZIP 04345 frost dates
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