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

Planting zone for 04761 — New Limerick, ME

ZIP code 04761 (New Limerick, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 04761 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 27

First frostSep 18

2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Limerick, 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 New Limerick, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 5

Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Houlton Intl Airport, ME — 9 miles away, elevation 476 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 04761

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 04761 came on Apr 27 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
Apr 27

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 New Limerick, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04761 is Linneus — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Linneus silt 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 04761; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Limerick, ME

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights190nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,636base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.3 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: Houlton Intl Airport, ME (9 mi away); precipitation: Houlton Intl Airport, ME (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Smyrna Mills, ME · 14 mi

044714b

Orient, ME · 15 mi

047604a

Monticello, ME · 15 mi

047474b

Island Falls, ME · 15 mi

047354b

Bridgewater, ME · 18 mi

047644b

Oxbow, ME · 25 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04761

What planting zone is ZIP code 04761?

ZIP code 04761 (New Limerick, 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 New Limerick, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04761 is May 27; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houlton Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in New Limerick, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04761 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04761?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04761 get?

About 39.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houlton Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in New Limerick, ME?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04761 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Linneus at the center of ZIP 04761: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in New Limerick, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04761 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 New Limerick, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04761 is 15 h 46 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04761 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04761 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.