Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 11792 — Wading River, NY

ZIP code 11792 (Wading River, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 11792 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 24

First frostOct 25

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 Wading River, 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 Wading River, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Baiting Hollow, NY — 5 miles away, elevation 69 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 11792

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 11792 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 Wading River, NY.

Soil in Wading River, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 11792 is Carver — slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carver and Plymouth soils, 15 to 35 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 11792; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wading River, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,817base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.3 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: Baiting Hollow, NY (5 mi away); precipitation: Ridge 1.8 Se, NY (4 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.

Rocky Point, NY · 6 mi

119497a

Manorville, NY · 6 mi

119737a

Upton, NY · 7 mi

117897b

Sound Beach, NY · 8 mi

119537a

Middle Island, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 11792

What planting zone is ZIP code 11792?

ZIP code 11792 (Wading River, 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 Wading River, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 11792 is April 24; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Baiting Hollow station.

When is the first frost in Wading River, NY?

The median first fall frost near 11792 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 11792?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 11792 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ridge 1.8 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Wading River, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 11792 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carver at the center of ZIP 11792: slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Wading River, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 11792 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 Wading River, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 11792 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 11792 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 11792 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.