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

Planting zone for 04462 — Millinocket, ME

ZIP code 04462 (Millinocket, Penobscot County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 04462 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 13
First frostSep 30
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 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 Millinocket, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Patten 2, ME — 20 miles away, elevation 820 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 04462

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 04462 came on May 10 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 7).

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 Millinocket, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04462 is Brayton — muck, poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter53%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brayton-Colonel-Skerry association, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely bouldery.

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 04462; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Millinocket, ME

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July
Winter low3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,613base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall86 inper year

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 3 °F 22°3° JanFebruary: average high 25 °F, low 6 °F 25°6° FebMarch: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° MarApril: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° JunJuly: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 13 °F 29°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.12 in precipitation, 23.3 in snowfall 3.1❄23 JanFebruary: 2.70 in precipitation, 19.1 in snowfall 2.7❄19 FebMarch: 3.10 in precipitation, 18.6 in snowfall 3.1❄19 MarApril: 3.74 in precipitation, 4.5 in snowfall 3.7❄5 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.72 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 4.7 OctNovember: 3.92 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 3.9❄4 NovDecember: 3.72 in precipitation, 16.6 in snowfall 3.7❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Patten 2, ME (20 mi away); precipitation: Millinocket, ME (26 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.

047654b
Patten, ME · 14 mi
047775a
Stacyville, ME · 24 mi
044414a
Greenville, ME · 28 mi
044305a
East Millinocket, ME · 29 mi
047335a
Benedicta, ME · 30 mi
044605a
Medway, ME · 31 mi
047765a
Sherman, ME · 32 mi
047804b
Smyrna Mills, ME · 34 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04462

What planting zone is ZIP code 04462?

ZIP code 04462 (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 Millinocket, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04462 is May 13; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Patten 2 station.

When is the first frost in Millinocket, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04462 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04462?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04462 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 86 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millinocket station).

How hot do summers get in Millinocket, ME?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04462 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brayton at the center of ZIP 04462: muck, poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Millinocket, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04462 came on May 10 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Millinocket, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04462 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04462 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04462 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.