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

Planting zone for 04737 — Clayton Lake, ME

ZIP code 04737 (Clayton Lake, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 04737 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.

Zone3b−35 to −30 °F

Coldest night−37.2 to −34.4 °C

Last frostMay 30

First frostSep 13

2012 zone3b

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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Clayton Lake, 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 Clayton Lake, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 29

Growing season106 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Clayton Lake, ME — within 1 mile, elevation 1,001 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 04737

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23

LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 13) 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 04737 came on May 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 6).

average
May 62026
May 2

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 Clayton Lake, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04737 is Daigle — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter73.1%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Daigle-Ragmuff-Perham association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky.

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 04737; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clayton Lake, ME

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−4 °Faverage low, February

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights211nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,353base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.9 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: Clayton Lake, ME (within 1 mile); precipitation: Clayton Lake, ME (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

047684a

Portage, ME · 25 mi

047744b

Saint Francis, ME · 42 mi

047394a

Eagle Lake, ME · 50 mi

044625a

Millinocket, ME · 51 mi

047434b

Fort Kent, ME · 53 mi

047654b

Patten, ME · 55 mi

047814a

Wallagrass, ME · 57 mi

047444a

Fort Kent Mills, ME · 62 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04737

What planting zone is ZIP code 04737?

ZIP code 04737 (Clayton Lake, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 3b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −35 to −30 °F (−37.2 to −34.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Clayton Lake, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04737 is May 30; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton Lake station.

When is the first frost in Clayton Lake, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04737 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 106 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04737?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04737 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Clayton Lake, ME?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04737 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Daigle at the center of ZIP 04737: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Clayton Lake, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04737 came on May 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clayton Lake, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04737 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).