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

Planting zone for 04984 — Temple, ME

ZIP code 04984 (Temple, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 04984 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 16

First frostSep 26

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 Temple, 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 Temple, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Farmington, ME — 6 miles away, elevation 404 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 04984

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

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 16) 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 04984 came on Apr 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 26

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.

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 Temple, ME.

Soil in Temple, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04984 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 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 04984; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Temple, ME

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,832base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.4 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: Farmington, ME (6 mi away); precipitation: Temple 1.8 W, ME (within 1 mile). 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.

042945a

Wilton, ME · 4 mi

049925a

West Farmington, ME · 6 mi

042345a

East Wilton, ME · 7 mi

042254b

Dryden, ME · 7 mi

049385a

Farmington, ME · 8 mi

042275a

East Dixfield, ME · 9 mi

042855a

Weld, ME · 9 mi

042625a

North Jay, ME · 10 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04984

What planting zone is ZIP code 04984?

ZIP code 04984 (Temple, 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 Temple, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04984 is May 16; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Farmington station.

When is the first frost in Temple, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04984 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04984?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04984 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Temple 1.8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Temple, ME?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04984 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colonel at the center of ZIP 04984: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Temple, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04984 came on Apr 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Temple, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04984 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 04984 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 04984 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.