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

Planting zone for 04785 — Van Buren, ME

ZIP code 04785 (Van Buren, Aroostook County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 04785 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 23

First frostSep 26

2012 zone3b

Was 3b 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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, 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 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 11

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Van Buren 2, ME — 6 miles away, elevation 456 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 04785

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 · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 04785 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 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.

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 Van Buren, ME.

Soil in Van Buren, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04785 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 04785; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Van Buren, ME

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−5 °Faverage low, February

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights193nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,563base 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)

Precipitation41.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall97 inper year; 139 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: Van Buren 2, ME (6 mi away); precipitation: Van Buren 2, ME (6 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.

047834a

Stockholm, ME · 9 mi

047464a

Grand Isle, ME · 10 mi

047624a

New Sweden, ME · 11 mi

047794a

Sinclair, ME · 13 mi

047734b

Saint David, ME · 13 mi

047504a

Limestone, ME · 14 mi

047364a

Caribou, ME · 14 mi

047724a

Saint Agatha, ME · 15 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04785

What planting zone is ZIP code 04785?

ZIP code 04785 (Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04785 is May 23; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Van Buren 2 station.

When is the first frost in Van Buren, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04785 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04785?

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 04785 get?

About 41.5 inches of precipitation a year and 97 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Van Buren 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Van Buren, 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 04785 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plaisted at the center of ZIP 04785: highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Van Buren, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04785 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 Van Buren, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04785 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04785 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04785 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.