Planting zone for 11976 — Water Mill, NY
ZIP code 11976 (Water Mill, Suffolk County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 24.
Where ZIP 11976 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Water Mill, 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 Water Mill, NY
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 5.
From the NOAA station Bridgehampton, NY — 3 miles away, elevation 43 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 11976
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) 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 11976 came on Apr 6 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).
Apr 32026
Apr 6
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 Water Mill, NY
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 11976 is Plymouth — slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.
Map unit: Plymouth loamy coarse sand, 0 to 3 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 11976; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Water Mill, NY
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bridgehampton, NY (3 mi away); precipitation: Bridgehampton, NY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 11976
What planting zone is ZIP code 11976?
ZIP code 11976 (Water Mill, 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 Water Mill, NY?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 11976 is April 23; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgehampton station.
When is the first frost in Water Mill, NY?
The median first fall frost near 11976 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 11976?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 11976 get?
About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgehampton station).
How hot do summers get in Water Mill, NY?
The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 11976 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Plymouth at the center of ZIP 11976: slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.
Did spring come early in Water Mill, NY in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 11976 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Water Mill, NY?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 11976 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 11976 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 11976 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.