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

Planting zone for 04285 — Weld, ME

ZIP code 04285 (Weld, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 04285 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 4

First frostOct 6

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 Weld, 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 Weld, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Rumford 1 Sse, ME — 12 miles away, elevation 630 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 04285

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 04285 came on Apr 18 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
Apr 18

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 Weld, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04285 is Peru — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peru fine sandy loam, 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 04285; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Weld, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,078base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rumford 1 Sse, ME (12 mi away); precipitation: Temple 1.8 W, ME (9 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.

East Dixfield, ME · 11 mi

042765a

Rumford, ME · 12 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04285

What planting zone is ZIP code 04285?

ZIP code 04285 (Weld, 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 Weld, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04285 is May 4; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rumford 1 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Weld, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04285 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04285?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04285 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Temple 1.8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Weld, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04285 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Peru at the center of ZIP 04285: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Weld, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04285 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Weld, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04285 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04285 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04285 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.