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

Planting zone for 04041 — Hiram, ME

ZIP code 04041 (Hiram, Oxford County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 04041 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 12

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hiram, 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 Hiram, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station East Hiram, ME — 4 miles away, elevation 528 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 04041

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 04041 came on Apr 17 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
Apr 17

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 5a in Maine

483 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Hiram, ME.

Soil in Hiram, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04041 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: Lyman-Tunbridge-Monadnock complex, 15 to 35 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 04041; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hiram, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,897base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall78 inper year; 114 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: East Hiram, ME (4 mi away); precipitation: East Hiram, ME (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

040915a

West Baldwin, ME · 4 mi

Brownfield, ME · 7 mi

040245a

East Baldwin, ME · 7 mi

040285a

East Parsonsfield, ME · 8 mi

040475b

Parsonsfield, ME · 9 mi

040295a

Sebago, ME · 9 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04041

What planting zone is ZIP code 04041?

ZIP code 04041 (Hiram, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Hiram, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04041 is May 12; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, East Hiram station.

When is the first frost in Hiram, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04041 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04041?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04041 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year and 78 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, East Hiram station).

How hot do summers get in Hiram, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04041 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lyman at the center of ZIP 04041: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hiram, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04041 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hiram, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04041 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04041 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04041 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.