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

Planting zone for 04985 — West Forks, ME

ZIP code 04985 (West Forks, Somerset County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 04985 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 7
First frostOct 9
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 West Forks, 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 West Forks, ME

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Greenville Maine Forestry Svc, ME — 16 miles away, elevation 1,037 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 04985

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 04985 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 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 West Forks, ME.

Soil in West Forks, ME

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 04985 is Danforth — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter53%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Danforth-Elliottsville association, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely 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 04985; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Forks, ME

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,698base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation39.4 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 23 °F, low 5 °F 23°5° JanFebruary: average high 25 °F, low 7 °F 25°7° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° MarApril: average high 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 57 °F 75°57° JulAugust: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° AugSeptember: average high 66 °F, low 48 °F 66°48° SepOctober: average high 53 °F, low 37 °F 53°37° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 27 °F 39°27° NovDecember: average high 28 °F, low 15 °F 28°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 MarApril: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Greenville Maine Forestry Svc, ME (16 mi away); precipitation: Harris Stn, ME (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

049255a
Caratunk, ME · 11 mi
044424b
Greenville Junction, ME · 12 mi
044855a
Shirley Mills, ME · 15 mi
044065a
Abbot, ME · 18 mi
049205a
Bingham, ME · 19 mi
049614b
New Portland, ME · 20 mi
044645a
Monson, ME · 20 mi
049454b
Jackman, ME · 23 mi

Maine planting zones →

Questions about 04985

What planting zone is ZIP code 04985?

ZIP code 04985 (West Forks, 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 West Forks, ME?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 04985 is May 7; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville Maine Forestry Svc station.

When is the first frost in West Forks, ME?

The median first fall frost near 04985 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 04985?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 04985 get?

About 39.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harris Stn station).

How hot do summers get in West Forks, ME?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 04985 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Danforth at the center of ZIP 04985: highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in West Forks, ME in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 04985 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 West Forks, ME?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 04985 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).