Ft Kent, ME Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Ft Kent garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 24
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
124 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 8 May 23 Jun 6
First fall frost Oct 5 Sep 24 Sep 11
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 9 · first Oct 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FT KENT station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Ft Kent

Computed from Ft Kent's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 30 – Jun 6
🫑 Peppers Mar 14 – Mar 28 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🥬 Lettuce Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 23
🫛 Peas Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥕 Carrots May 2 – May 23
🥦 Broccoli Apr 4 – Apr 18 May 2 – May 16
🥬 Kale Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 9
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🥒 Zucchini Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 30 – Jun 6
🌽 Sweet Corn May 30 – Jun 6
🌿 Basil Apr 11 – Apr 25 May 30 – Jun 6 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 13 – Sep 10

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Ft Kent's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Ft Kent

At about 124 frost-free days, Ft Kent rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Ft Kent, ME?

The average last spring frost in Ft Kent is around May 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Ft Kent, ME?

The average first fall frost in Ft Kent arrives around Sep 24. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Ft Kent?

About 124 frost-free days on average, from May 23 to Sep 24. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Ft Kent in?

USDA zone 4a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.