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

Planting zone for 04087 — Waterboro, ME

ZIP code 04087 (Waterboro, York County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 04087 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 14

First frostSep 30

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 Waterboro, 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 Waterboro, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Hollis, ME — 6 miles away, elevation 305 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 04087

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

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 14) 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 04087 came on Apr 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 16

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 Waterboro, ME.

Soil in Waterboro, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04087 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, 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 04087; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waterboro, ME

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,960base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall81 inper year; 109 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: Hollis, ME (6 mi away); precipitation: Hollis, ME (6 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.

040305b

East Waterboro, ME · 3 mi

040765b

Shapleigh, ME · 5 mi

040615a

North Waterboro, ME · 5 mi

040025b

Alfred, ME · 7 mi

040425b

Hollis Center, ME · 8 mi

040835b

Springvale, ME · 8 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04087

What planting zone is ZIP code 04087?

ZIP code 04087 (Waterboro, 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 Waterboro, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04087 is May 14; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hollis station.

When is the first frost in Waterboro, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04087 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04087?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04087 get?

About 52.1 inches of precipitation a year and 81 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hollis station).

How hot do summers get in Waterboro, ME?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04087 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hermon at the center of ZIP 04087: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waterboro, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04087 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waterboro, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04087 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04087 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04087 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.