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

Planting zone for 04292 — Sumner, ME

ZIP code 04292 (Sumner, Oxford County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 04292 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 6

First frostOct 3

2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Hartford, ME — 7 miles away, elevation 705 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 04292

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 04292 came on Apr 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
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).

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.

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 Sumner, ME.

Soil in Sumner, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04292 is Skerry — highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureHighly 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: Skerry-Colonel association, 0 to 15 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 04292; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sumner, ME

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,849base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51 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: Hartford, ME (7 mi away); precipitation: Hartford 1.4 N, ME (5 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.

042905a

Peru, ME · 6 mi

042195a

Bryant Pond, ME · 6 mi

042895a

West Paris, ME · 6 mi

042205b

Buckfield, ME · 6 mi

042815b

South Paris, ME · 9 mi

042665b

North Turner, ME · 10 mi

042215a

Canton, ME · 11 mi

042555a

Greenwood, ME · 11 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04292

What planting zone is ZIP code 04292?

ZIP code 04292 (Sumner, 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 Sumner, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04292 is May 6; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartford station.

When is the first frost in Sumner, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04292 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04292?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04292 get?

About 51 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hartford 1.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Sumner, ME?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04292 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Skerry at the center of ZIP 04292: highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sumner, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04292 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sumner, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04292 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).