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

Planting zone for 04430 — East Millinocket, ME

ZIP code 04430 (East Millinocket, Penobscot County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 04430 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 17
First frostSep 29
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 East Millinocket, 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 East Millinocket, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Millinocket Wastewater, ME — 4 miles away, elevation 361 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 04430

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 04430 came on Apr 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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 East Millinocket, ME.

Soil in East Millinocket, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04430 is Plaisted — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

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

Map unit: Plaisted loam, 8 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 04430; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Millinocket, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, February
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,748base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 3 °F 23°3° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 2 °F 27°2° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 OctNovember: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Millinocket Wastewater, ME (4 mi away); precipitation: Millinocket Wastewater, ME (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

044605a
Medway, ME · 4 mi
047335a
Benedicta, ME · 11 mi
044595a
Mattawamkeag, ME · 13 mi
047775a
Stacyville, ME · 14 mi
044575a
Lincoln, ME · 15 mi
044955a
Winn, ME · 17 mi
047765a
Sherman, ME · 18 mi
044485a
Howland, ME · 24 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04430

What planting zone is ZIP code 04430?

ZIP code 04430 (East Millinocket, 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 East Millinocket, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04430 is May 17; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millinocket Wastewater station.

When is the first frost in East Millinocket, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04430 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04430?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04430 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millinocket Wastewater station).

How hot do summers get in East Millinocket, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04430 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plaisted at the center of ZIP 04430: highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in East Millinocket, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04430 came on Apr 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Millinocket, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04430 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04430 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04430 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.