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

Planting zone for 04750 — Limestone, ME

ZIP code 04750 (Limestone, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 04750 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F
Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C
Last frostMay 16
First frostSep 24
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Limestone, 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 Limestone, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Limestone 4 Nnw, ME — within 1 mile, elevation 738 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 04750

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
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 16) 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 04750 came on May 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 4).

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 4a in Maine

387 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 48

Shrubs 69

Wildflowers & perennials 133

Grasses 125

Vines 4

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 Limestone, ME.

Soil in Limestone, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04750 is Stetson — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Stetson gravelly loam, 8 to 15 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 04750; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Limestone, ME

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−1 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights190nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,435base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation43.1 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 19 °F, low -1 °F 19°−1° JanFebruary: average high 23 °F, low 1 °F 23°1° FebMarch: average high 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° MarApril: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JulAugust: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° AugSeptember: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° SepOctober: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° OctNovember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° NovDecember: average high 26 °F, low 10 °F 26°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Limestone 4 Nnw, ME (within 1 mile); precipitation: Limestone 4 Nnw, ME (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04750

What planting zone is ZIP code 04750?

ZIP code 04750 (Limestone, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Limestone, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04750 is May 16; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Limestone 4 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Limestone, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04750 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04750?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04750 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Limestone 4 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Limestone, ME?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04750 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Stetson at the center of ZIP 04750: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Limestone, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04750 came on May 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (May 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Limestone, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04750 is 15 h 53 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).