Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 04002 — Alfred, ME

ZIP code 04002 (Alfred, York County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 04002 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 16

First frostSep 30

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alfred, 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 Alfred, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Sanford 2 Nnw, ME — 6 miles away, elevation 289 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 04002

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 04002 came on Apr 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

average
Apr 182026
Apr 15

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Maine

493 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Alfred, ME.

Soil in Alfred, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04002 is Skerry — highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Skerry fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.

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 04002; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alfred, ME

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,120base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 57 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation51.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sanford 2 Nnw, ME (6 mi away); precipitation: Sanford 2 Nnw, ME (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

East Waterboro, ME · 7 mi

040945b

West Kennebunk, ME · 7 mi

040835b

Springvale, ME · 8 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04002

What planting zone is ZIP code 04002?

ZIP code 04002 (Alfred, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Alfred, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04002 is May 16; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Alfred, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04002 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04002?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04002 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford 2 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Alfred, ME?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04002 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Skerry at the center of ZIP 04002: highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alfred, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04002 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alfred, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04002 is 15 h 25 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).