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

Planting zone for 04261 — Newry, ME

ZIP code 04261 (Newry, Oxford County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 04261 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 19
First frostSep 25
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 Newry, 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 Newry, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 13
Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Andover 2, ME — 11 miles away, elevation 824 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 04261

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 04261 came on Apr 28 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 6).

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.

Trees 53

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 96

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 166

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 151

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °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 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °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 Newry, ME.

Soil in Newry, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04261 is Saddleback — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter53%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Saddleback-Ricker complex, 25 to 60 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 04261; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newry, ME

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights190nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,613base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation51.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall112 inper year; 133 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 4 °F 24°4° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 4 °F 28°4° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.41 in precipitation, 22.5 in snowfall 3.4❄23 JanFebruary: 2.71 in precipitation, 26.5 in snowfall 2.7❄27 FebMarch: 3.48 in precipitation, 17.6 in snowfall 3.5❄18 MarApril: 4.54 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 4.5❄7 AprMay: 4.37 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.4 MayJune: 5.38 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.88 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 5.9❄1 OctNovember: 4.48 in precipitation, 8.3 in snowfall 4.5❄8 NovDecember: 4.28 in precipitation, 29.1 in snowfall 4.3❄29 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Andover 2, ME (11 mi away); precipitation: Andover 2, ME (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

042164b
Andover, ME · 10 mi
035704b
Berlin, NH · 12 mi
042375a
Hanover, ME · 12 mi
042865a
West Bethel, ME · 12 mi
042265a
East Andover, ME · 13 mi
042175a
Bethel, ME · 13 mi
035884b
Milan, NH · 14 mi
035815a
Gorham, NH · 15 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04261

What planting zone is ZIP code 04261?

ZIP code 04261 (Newry, 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 Newry, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04261 is May 19; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andover 2 station.

When is the first frost in Newry, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04261 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04261?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04261 get?

About 51.6 inches of precipitation a year and 112 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andover 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Newry, ME?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04261 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Saddleback at the center of ZIP 04261: highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Newry, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04261 came on Apr 28 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newry, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04261 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04261 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04261 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.