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

Planting zone for 04270 — Oxford, ME

ZIP code 04270 (Oxford, Oxford County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 04270 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 3

First frostOct 7

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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Poland, ME — 11 miles away, elevation 571 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 04270

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 04270 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).

Soil in Oxford, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04270 is Colonel — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colonel-Brayton assocation, 0 to 8 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 04270; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oxford, ME

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,979base 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)

Precipitation49.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall80 inper year; 100 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: Poland, ME (11 mi away); precipitation: Poland, ME (11 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.

042565b

Mechanic Falls, ME · 6 mi

042915b

West Poland, ME · 6 mi

North Bridgton, ME · 9 mi

042885b

West Minot, ME · 9 mi

042815b

South Paris, ME · 9 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04270

What planting zone is ZIP code 04270?

ZIP code 04270 (Oxford, 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 Oxford, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04270 is May 3; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Poland station.

When is the first frost in Oxford, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04270 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04270?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04270 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year and 80 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Poland station).

How hot do summers get in Oxford, ME?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04270 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colonel at the center of ZIP 04270: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Oxford, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04270 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 Oxford, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04270 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04270 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04270 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.