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

Planting zone for 10917 — Central Valley, NY

ZIP code 10917 (Central Valley, Orange County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 10917 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 10

First frostNov 1

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Central Valley, 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 Central Valley, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station West Point, NY — 9 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 10917

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 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 10917 came on Apr 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 1

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 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.

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 Central Valley, NY.

Soil in Central Valley, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 10917 is Swartswood — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Swartswood and Mardin soils, sloping, 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 10917; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Central Valley, NY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall36 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: West Point, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: West Point, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

109106b

Arden, NY · 3 mi

109306b

Highland Mills, NY · 4 mi

Southfields, NY · 5 mi

109117a

Bear Mountain, NY · 6 mi

109287a

Highland Falls, NY · 6 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 10917

What planting zone is ZIP code 10917?

ZIP code 10917 (Central Valley, 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 Central Valley, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 10917 is April 10; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Point station.

When is the first frost in Central Valley, NY?

The median first fall frost near 10917 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 10917?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 10917 get?

About 51.5 inches of precipitation a year and 36 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Point station).

How hot do summers get in Central Valley, NY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 10917 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Swartswood at the center of ZIP 10917: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Central Valley, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 10917 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Central Valley, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 10917 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).