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

Planting zone for 11957 — Orient, NY

ZIP code 11957 (Orient, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 11957 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 6

First frostNov 17

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 Orient, 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 Orient, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Orient Pt Sp, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 3 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 11957

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 11957 came on Apr 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
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).

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 Orient, NY.

Soil in Orient, NY

The center of ZIP 11957 is mapped as Cut and fill land, gently sloping: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 11957; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orient, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights73nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,103base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.6 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: Orient Pt Sp, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Fishers Island 0.5 Ne, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

063767a

South Lyme, CT · 9 mi

063577a

Niantic, CT · 10 mi

063207a

New London, CT · 10 mi

063907a

Fishers Island, NY · 11 mi

063857a

Waterford, CT · 11 mi

063407a

Groton, CT · 11 mi

119397b

East Marion, NY · 11 mi

063887a

West Mystic, CT · 12 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 11957

What planting zone is ZIP code 11957?

ZIP code 11957 (Orient, 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 Orient, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 11957 is April 6; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orient Pt Sp station.

When is the first frost in Orient, NY?

The median first fall frost near 11957 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 11957?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 11957 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fishers Island 0.5 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Orient, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Orient, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 11957 came on Apr 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orient, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 11957 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 11957 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 11957 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.