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

Planting zone for 04733 — Benedicta, ME

ZIP code 04733 (Benedicta, Aroostook 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 04733 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 Benedicta, 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 Benedicta, 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 — 14 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 04733

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 04733 came on Apr 27 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

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 Benedicta, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04733 is Monarda — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Monarda-Burnham complex, 0 to 3 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 04733; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Benedicta, 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 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 40 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 (14 mi away); precipitation: Millinocket Wastewater, ME (14 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.

047765a
Sherman, ME · 7 mi
047775a
Stacyville, ME · 8 mi
044605a
Medway, ME · 9 mi
044305a
East Millinocket, ME · 11 mi
044595a
Mattawamkeag, ME · 11 mi
044515a
Kingman, ME · 15 mi
044974b
Wytopitlock, ME · 17 mi
047474b
Island Falls, ME · 18 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04733

What planting zone is ZIP code 04733?

ZIP code 04733 (Benedicta, 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 Benedicta, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04733 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 Benedicta, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04733 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04733?

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 04733 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Benedicta, 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 04733 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Monarda at the center of ZIP 04733: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Benedicta, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04733 came on Apr 27 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Benedicta, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04733 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04733 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04733 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.