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

Planting zone for 04015 — Casco, ME

ZIP code 04015 (Casco, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 04015 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 frostApr 30
First frostOct 20
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Casco, 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 Casco, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Windham 2nw, ME — 7 miles away, elevation 443 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 04015

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 04015 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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).

Soil in Casco, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04015 is Hermon — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hermon 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 04015; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Casco, ME

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,308base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 11 °F 32°11° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 20 °F 35°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 OctNovember: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Windham 2nw, ME (7 mi away); precipitation: Windham 2nw, ME (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

040775b
South Casco, ME · 3 mi
040715b
Raymond, ME · 4 mi
040555a
Naples, ME · 6 mi
042915b
West Poland, ME · 7 mi
040395b
Gray, ME · 8 mi
040295a
Sebago, ME · 8 mi
042745b
Poland, ME · 9 mi
042605b
New Gloucester, ME · 11 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04015

What planting zone is ZIP code 04015?

ZIP code 04015 (Casco, 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 Casco, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04015 is April 30; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Windham 2nw station.

When is the first frost in Casco, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04015 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04015?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04015 get?

About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Windham 2nw station).

How hot do summers get in Casco, ME?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04015 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hermon at the center of ZIP 04015: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Casco, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04015 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Casco, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04015 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04015 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04015 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.