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

Planting zone for 10986 — Tomkins Cove, NY

ZIP code 10986 (Tomkins Cove, Rockland County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 10986 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 10

First frostNov 1

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tomkins Cove, 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 Tomkins Cove, 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 — 7 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 10986

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 10986 came on Apr 2 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

average
Apr 52026
Apr 2

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).

Soil in Tomkins Cove, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 10986 is Charlton — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Charlton fine sandy loam, 2 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 10986; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tomkins Cove, 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)

Precipitation49.3 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: West Point, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Peekskill 0.4 N, NY (4 mi away). 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.

109117a

Bear Mountain, NY · 2 mi

Fort Montgomery, NY · 4 mi

Stony Point, NY · 4 mi

109287a

Highland Falls, NY · 4 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 10986

What planting zone is ZIP code 10986?

ZIP code 10986 (Tomkins Cove, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Tomkins Cove, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 10986 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 Tomkins Cove, NY?

The median first fall frost near 10986 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 10986?

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 10986 get?

About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peekskill 0.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Tomkins Cove, 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 10986 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 10986: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tomkins Cove, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 10986 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tomkins Cove, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 10986 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 10986 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 10986 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.