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

Planting zone for 11788 — Hauppauge, NY

ZIP code 11788 (Hauppauge, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 11788 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 10

First frostNov 2

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hauppauge, 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 Hauppauge, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Islip Li Macarthur Airport, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 85 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 11788

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 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 11788 came on Apr 1 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

average
Mar 292026
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 7b in New York

660 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 7b. 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 Hauppauge, NY.

Soil in Hauppauge, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 11788 is Riverhead — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Riverhead sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.

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 11788; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hauppauge, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,242base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.1 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: Islip Li Macarthur Airport, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Nesconset 1.4 Ssw, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Central Islip, NY · 3 mi

Islip Terrace, NY · 5 mi

117167b

Bohemia, NY · 5 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 11788

What planting zone is ZIP code 11788?

ZIP code 11788 (Hauppauge, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Hauppauge, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 11788 is April 10; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Islip Li Macarthur Airport station.

When is the first frost in Hauppauge, NY?

The median first fall frost near 11788 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 11788?

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 11788 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nesconset 1.4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Hauppauge, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 11788 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Riverhead at the center of ZIP 11788: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hauppauge, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 11788 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hauppauge, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 11788 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 11788 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 11788 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.