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

Planting zone for 04488 — Stetson, ME

ZIP code 04488 (Stetson, Penobscot County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 04488 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 8
First frostOct 3
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 Stetson, 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 Stetson, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Corinna, ME — 7 miles away, elevation 299 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 04488

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
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 8) 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 04488 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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 Stetson, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04488 is Brayton — muck, poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter63%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brayton-Peacham complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, extremely 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 04488; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stetson, ME

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low6 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,146base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation44.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall72 inper year; 113 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 6 °F 28°6° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 7 °F 32°7° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 18 °F 41°18° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 31 °F 54°31° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.36 in precipitation, 16.6 in snowfall 3.4❄17 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation, 17.2 in snowfall 2.8❄17 FebMarch: 3.44 in precipitation, 13.4 in snowfall 3.4❄13 MarApril: 3.83 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.8❄3 AprMay: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.77 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.8 OctNovember: 4.11 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 4.1❄4 NovDecember: 4.34 in precipitation, 16.5 in snowfall 4.3❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Corinna, ME (7 mi away); precipitation: Corinna, ME (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

049534b
Newport, ME · 5 mi
044565a
Levant, ME · 6 mi
044355a
Exeter, ME · 6 mi
049335a
East Newport, ME · 6 mi
044195a
Carmel, ME · 7 mi
044345a
Etna, ME · 7 mi
049695a
Plymouth, ME · 8 mi
049284b
Corinna, ME · 9 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04488

What planting zone is ZIP code 04488?

ZIP code 04488 (Stetson, 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 Stetson, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04488 is May 8; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corinna station.

When is the first frost in Stetson, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04488 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04488?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04488 get?

About 44.7 inches of precipitation a year and 72 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corinna station).

How hot do summers get in Stetson, ME?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04488 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brayton at the center of ZIP 04488: muck, poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Stetson, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04488 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stetson, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04488 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04488 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04488 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.