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

Planting zone for 04961 — New Portland, ME

ZIP code 04961 (New Portland, Somerset County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 04961 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 13
First frostSep 30
2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Portland, 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 Portland, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Long Falls Dam, ME — 5 miles away, elevation 1,161 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 04961

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 04961 came on Apr 27 — 7 days earlier than 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 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.

Trees 52

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 86

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 153

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 144

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 5

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 °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 New Portland, ME.

Soil in New Portland, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04961 is Marlow — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marlow-Peru-Rawsonville association, 12 to 30 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 04961; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Portland, ME

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights191nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,643base 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)
Precipitation43 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall109 inper year; 148 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 4 °F 23°4° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 5 °F 26°5° FebMarch: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° MarApril: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 14 °F 29°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.79 in precipitation, 22.7 in snowfall 2.8❄23 JanFebruary: 2.43 in precipitation, 22.9 in snowfall 2.4❄23 FebMarch: 3.04 in precipitation, 22.2 in snowfall 3.0❄22 MarApril: 3.79 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 3.8❄8 AprMay: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 4.61 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 4.6❄3 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 3.8❄7 NovDecember: 3.76 in precipitation, 23.9 in snowfall 3.8❄24 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Long Falls Dam, ME (5 mi away); precipitation: Long Falls Dam, ME (5 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.

049475a
Kingfield, ME · 9 mi
049824b
Stratton, ME · 12 mi
049255a
Caratunk, ME · 13 mi
049835a
Strong, ME · 17 mi
049205a
Bingham, ME · 18 mi
049545a
New Portland, ME · 19 mi
049854b
West Forks, ME · 20 mi
049585a
North Anson, ME · 20 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in New Portland → · Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04961

What planting zone is ZIP code 04961?

ZIP code 04961 (New Portland, 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 Portland, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04961 is May 13; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Falls Dam station.

When is the first frost in New Portland, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04961 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04961?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04961 get?

About 43 inches of precipitation a year and 109 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Falls Dam station).

How hot do summers get in New Portland, ME?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04961 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marlow at the center of ZIP 04961: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 04961 came on Apr 27 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Portland, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04961 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).