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

Planting zone for 12015 — Athens, NY

ZIP code 12015 (Athens, Greene County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 12015 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 25

First frostOct 18

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Athens, 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 Athens, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Hudson Correctional Facility, NY — 4 miles away, elevation 30 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 12015

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 12015 came on Apr 3 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Apr 3

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 Athens, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12015 is Valois — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valois-Nassau complex, hilly.

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 12015; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Athens, NY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,138base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall31 inper year; 26 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hudson Correctional Facility, NY (4 mi away); precipitation: Hudson Correctional Facility, NY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

120516a

Coxsackie, NY · 4 mi

120506a

Columbiaville, NY · 4 mi

121726a

Stottville, NY · 4 mi

Stuyvesant Falls, NY · 6 mi

124516a

Leeds, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12015

What planting zone is ZIP code 12015?

ZIP code 12015 (Athens, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Athens, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12015 is April 25; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hudson Correctional Facility station.

When is the first frost in Athens, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12015 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12015?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12015 get?

About 44.1 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hudson Correctional Facility station).

How hot do summers get in Athens, NY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12015 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valois at the center of ZIP 12015: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Athens, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12015 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Athens, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12015 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).