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

Planting zone for 04078 — South Freeport, ME

ZIP code 04078 (South Freeport, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 04078 is

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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 28
First frostOct 19
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for South Freeport, 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 South Freeport, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Gray, ME — 8 miles away, elevation 377 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 04078

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 04078 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 South Freeport, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04078 is Suffield — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5.5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Suffield silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded.

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 04078; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Freeport, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,212base 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)
Precipitation49.5 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 30 °F, low 14 °F 30°14° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 31 °F 46°31° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gray, ME (8 mi away); precipitation: Freeport 2.6 Wnw, 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.

040326a
Freeport, ME · 2 mi
040336a
Freeport, ME · 3 mi
040346a
Freeport, ME · 3 mi
040966a
Yarmouth, ME · 3 mi
040176a
Chebeague Island, ME · 6 mi
040976a
North Yarmouth, ME · 6 mi
041106a
Cumberland Foreside, ME · 6 mi
040695b
Pownal, ME · 7 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04078

What planting zone is ZIP code 04078?

ZIP code 04078 (South Freeport, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in South Freeport, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04078 is April 28; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gray station.

When is the first frost in South Freeport, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04078 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04078?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04078 get?

About 49.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freeport 2.6 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in South Freeport, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04078 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Suffield at the center of ZIP 04078: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in South Freeport, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04078 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Freeport, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04078 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04078 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04078 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.