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

Planting zone for 04920 — Bingham, ME

ZIP code 04920 (Bingham, Somerset County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 04920 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 11
First frostOct 1
2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bingham, 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 Bingham, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Harmony, ME — 17 miles away, elevation 322 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 04920

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 04920 came on Apr 27 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3).

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 5a in Maine

483 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maine, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 53

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 96

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bearberry0.5 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −62 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 166

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 151

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Bingham, ME.

Soil in Bingham, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04920 is Colonel — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colonel-Peru-Pillsbury association, 3 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 04920; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bingham, ME

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,016base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.2 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 30 °F, low 3 °F 30°3° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 3 °F 32°3° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 14 °F 41°14° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 28 °F 54°28° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 13 °F 35°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 OctNovember: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Harmony, ME (17 mi away); precipitation: Bingham Wyman Dam, 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.

049255a
Caratunk, ME · 9 mi
049425a
Harmony, ME · 11 mi
049795a
Solon, ME · 11 mi
049125a
Athens, ME · 12 mi
044065a
Abbot, ME · 13 mi
049585a
North Anson, ME · 15 mi
049614b
New Portland, ME · 18 mi
049505a
Madison, ME · 19 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04920

What planting zone is ZIP code 04920?

ZIP code 04920 (Bingham, ME) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Bingham, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04920 is May 11; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harmony station.

When is the first frost in Bingham, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04920 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04920?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04920 get?

About 46.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bingham Wyman Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Bingham, ME?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04920 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colonel at the center of ZIP 04920: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bingham, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04920 came on Apr 27 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bingham, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04920 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04920 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04920 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.