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

Planting zone for 12017 — Austerlitz, NY

ZIP code 12017 (Austerlitz, Columbia County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 12017 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 7
First frostOct 3
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Austerlitz, 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 Austerlitz, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Lenox Dale, MA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,004 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 12017

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 12017 came on Apr 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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 Austerlitz, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12017 is Lanesboro — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lanesboro-Monarda association, strongly sloping, very stony.

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 12017; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Austerlitz, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,253base 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)
Precipitation49.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 13 °F 32°13° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 OctNovember: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lenox Dale, MA (11 mi away); precipitation: Stockbridge .2 Nne, MA (7 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.

121655b
Spencertown, NY · 3 mi
012665b
West Stockbridge, MA · 4 mi
012365b
Housatonic, MA · 5 mi
012295b
Glendale, MA · 6 mi
120376a
Chatham, NY · 6 mi
012545b
Richmond, MA · 6 mi
120605b
East Chatham, NY · 7 mi
120295b
Canaan, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12017

What planting zone is ZIP code 12017?

ZIP code 12017 (Austerlitz, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Austerlitz, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12017 is May 7; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lenox Dale station.

When is the first frost in Austerlitz, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12017 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12017?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12017 get?

About 49.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stockbridge .2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Austerlitz, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12017 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lanesboro at the center of ZIP 12017: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Austerlitz, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12017 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Austerlitz, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12017 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).