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

Planting zone for 04764 — Oxbow, ME

ZIP code 04764 (Oxbow, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 04764 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 25

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 Oxbow, 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 Oxbow, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 4

Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Bridgewater, ME — 24 miles away, elevation 420 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 04764

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

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 25) 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 04764 came on Apr 28 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2).

average
May 22026
Apr 28

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 Oxbow, ME.

Soil in Oxbow, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04764 is Plaisted — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter53%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plaisted-Howland association, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.

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 04764; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oxbow, ME

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,669base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 48 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 35 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall94 inper year; 131 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: Bridgewater, ME (24 mi away); precipitation: Bridgewater, ME (24 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

047804b

Smyrna Mills, ME · 14 mi

047354b

Bridgewater, ME · 15 mi

Monticello, ME · 20 mi

047874a

Westfield, ME · 21 mi

047344a

Blaine, ME · 22 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04764

What planting zone is ZIP code 04764?

ZIP code 04764 (Oxbow, 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 Oxbow, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04764 is May 25; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgewater station.

When is the first frost in Oxbow, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04764 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04764?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04764 get?

About 44.5 inches of precipitation a year and 94 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgewater station).

How hot do summers get in Oxbow, ME?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04764 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plaisted at the center of ZIP 04764: highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Oxbow, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04764 came on Apr 28 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oxbow, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04764 is 15 h 48 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04764 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04764 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.