Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 03905 — Kittery Point, ME

ZIP code 03905 (Kittery Point, York County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 03905 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 8
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kittery Point, ME…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Kittery Point, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Greenland, NH — 11 miles away, elevation 95 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 03905

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 8) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

Native plants for zone 6b in Maine

506 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 55

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 101

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 175

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 156

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Kittery Point, ME.

Soil in Kittery Point, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 03905 is Lyman — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Lyman complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 03905; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kittery Point, ME

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,385base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Greenland, NH (11 mi away); precipitation: Kittery Point 0.8 Wsw, ME (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

8 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

038546a
New Castle, NH · 7 mi
038706a
Rye, NH · 8 mi
038716a
Rye Beach, NH · 9 mi
039116a
York Harbor, ME · 9 mi
038026a
Portsmouth, NH · 9 mi
038036a
Portsmouth, NH · 9 mi
038046a
Portsmouth, NH · 9 mi
039046a
Kittery, ME · 10 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 03905

What planting zone is ZIP code 03905?

ZIP code 03905 (Kittery Point, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Kittery Point, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 03905 is May 4; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenland station.

When is the first frost in Kittery Point, ME?

The median first fall frost near 03905 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 03905?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 03905 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kittery Point 0.8 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Kittery Point, ME?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 03905 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lyman at the center of ZIP 03905: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

What kind of onions grow in Kittery Point, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 03905 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 03905 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 03905 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.