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

Planting zone for 04258 — Minot, ME

ZIP code 04258 (Minot, Androscoggin County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 04258 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 25
First frostOct 19
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 Minot, 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 Minot, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Lewiston, ME — 6 miles away, elevation 180 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 04258

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
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 25) 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 04258 came on Apr 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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.

Trees 55

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 169

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 153

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Minot, ME.

Soil in Minot, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04258 is Paxton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Paxton very stony loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.

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 04258; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minot, ME

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,366base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall65 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 46 °F 65°46° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 31 °F 45°31° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 20 °F 34°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.28 in precipitation, 19.4 in snowfall 3.3❄19 JanFebruary: 3.24 in precipitation, 17.3 in snowfall 3.2❄17 FebMarch: 3.53 in precipitation, 12.3 in snowfall 3.5❄12 MarApril: 4.04 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 4.0❄3 AprMay: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 OctNovember: 3.94 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.9❄2 NovDecember: 4.18 in precipitation, 11.6 in snowfall 4.2❄12 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

042885b
West Minot, ME · 3 mi
042565b
Mechanic Falls, ME · 4 mi
042385b
Hebron, ME · 4 mi
042305b
East Poland, ME · 5 mi
042105b
Auburn, ME · 6 mi
042115b
Auburn, ME · 6 mi
042125b
Auburn, ME · 6 mi
042415b
Lewiston, ME · 6 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04258

What planting zone is ZIP code 04258?

ZIP code 04258 (Minot, 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 Minot, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04258 is April 25; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lewiston station.

When is the first frost in Minot, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04258 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04258?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04258 get?

About 45.2 inches of precipitation a year and 65 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lewiston station).

How hot do summers get in Minot, ME?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04258 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Paxton at the center of ZIP 04258: loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Minot, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04258 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minot, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04258 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04258 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04258 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.