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

Planting zone for 04743 — Fort Kent, ME

ZIP code 04743 (Fort Kent, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 04743 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 23

First frostSep 24

2012 zone3b

Was 3b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fort Kent, 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 Fort Kent, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 11

Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Ft Kent, ME — 7 miles away, elevation 610 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 04743

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 04743 came on May 5 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 6).

average
May 62026
May 5

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 4b in Maine

451 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Fort Kent, ME.

Soil in Fort Kent, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04743 is Thorndike — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter53%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Thorndike channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very 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 04743; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Kent, ME

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,431base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall99 inper year; 143 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

047814a

Wallagrass, ME · 6 mi

047444a

Fort Kent Mills, ME · 9 mi

047744b

Saint Francis, ME · 14 mi

047394a

Eagle Lake, ME · 14 mi

047454b

Frenchville, ME · 17 mi

047724a

Saint Agatha, ME · 20 mi

047794a

Sinclair, ME · 20 mi

047564b

Madawaska, ME · 23 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04743

What planting zone is ZIP code 04743?

ZIP code 04743 (Fort Kent, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Fort Kent, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04743 is May 23; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Kent station.

When is the first frost in Fort Kent, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04743 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04743?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04743 get?

About 41.6 inches of precipitation a year and 99 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Kent station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Kent, 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 04743 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Thorndike at the center of ZIP 04743: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Fort Kent, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04743 came on May 5 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (May 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Kent, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04743 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04743 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04743 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.