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

Planting zone for 11973 — Upton, NY

ZIP code 11973 (Upton, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 11973 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 21

First frostOct 24

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Upton, 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 Upton, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Upton Coop - Nwsfo New York, NY — within 1 mile, elevation 79 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 11973

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 11973 came on Apr 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
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 Upton, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 11973 is Haven — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Haven loam, 0 to 2 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 11973; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Upton, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,876base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 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)

Precipitation50 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: Upton Coop - Nwsfo New York, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Upton Coop - Nwsfo New York, NY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Middle Island, NY · 4 mi

119497a

Manorville, NY · 4 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 11973

What planting zone is ZIP code 11973?

ZIP code 11973 (Upton, 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 Upton, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 11973 is April 21; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Upton Coop - Nwsfo New York station.

When is the first frost in Upton, NY?

The median first fall frost near 11973 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 11973?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 11973 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Upton Coop - Nwsfo New York station).

How hot do summers get in Upton, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 11973 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Haven at the center of ZIP 11973: highly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Upton, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 11973 came on Apr 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Upton, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 11973 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).