Planting zone for 10512 — Carmel, NY
ZIP code 10512 (Carmel, Putnam County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 16.
Where ZIP 10512 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 6a 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 6b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Carmel, NY…
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 Carmel, NY
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 28.
From the NOAA station Carmel 4n, NY — 3 miles away, elevation 679 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 10512
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 10512 came on Apr 3 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).
Apr 92026
Apr 3
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 6b in New York
641 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 77
Shrubs 130
Wildflowers & perennials 217
Grasses 192
Vines 8
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 Carmel, NY.
Soil in Carmel, NY
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 10512 is Charlton — loam, well drained.
Map unit: Charlton loam, 25 to 35 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 10512; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Carmel, NY
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carmel 4n, NY (3 mi away); precipitation: Carmel 4n, NY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.
Questions about 10512
What planting zone is ZIP code 10512?
ZIP code 10512 (Carmel, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).
When is the last frost in Carmel, NY?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 10512 is April 28; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmel 4n station.
When is the first frost in Carmel, NY?
The median first fall frost near 10512 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 10512?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 10512 get?
About 50.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmel 4n station).
How hot do summers get in Carmel, NY?
The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 10512 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 10512: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Carmel, NY in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 10512 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Carmel, NY?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 10512 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 10512 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 10512 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.