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

Planting zone for 04287 — Bowdoin, ME

ZIP code 04287 (Bowdoin, Sagadahoc County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 04287 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 15

First frostOct 2

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 Bowdoin, 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 Bowdoin, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Durham, ME — 8 miles away, elevation 141 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 04287

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 04287 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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 Bowdoin, ME.

Soil in Bowdoin, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04287 is Sutton — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Sutton very stony loam, 0 to 8 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 04287; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bowdoin, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,872base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall78 inper year; 107 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: Durham, ME (8 mi away); precipitation: Durham, ME (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

042525b

Lisbon Falls, ME · 5 mi

042805b

Sabattus, ME · 5 mi

040085b

Bowdoinham, ME · 6 mi

043505b

Litchfield, ME · 7 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04287

What planting zone is ZIP code 04287?

ZIP code 04287 (Bowdoin, 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 Bowdoin, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04287 is May 15; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durham station.

When is the first frost in Bowdoin, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04287 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04287?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04287 get?

About 49.7 inches of precipitation a year and 78 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durham station).

How hot do summers get in Bowdoin, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04287 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sutton at the center of ZIP 04287: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bowdoin, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04287 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bowdoin, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04287 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04287 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04287 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.