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

Planting zone for 12023 — Berne, NY

ZIP code 12023 (Berne, Albany County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 12023 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 2
First frostOct 13
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 Berne, 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 Berne, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Schoharie, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 735 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 12023

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 12023 came on Apr 12 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 5b in New York

609 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 75

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 120

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 208

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 185

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Berne, NY.

Soil in Berne, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12023 is Lordstown — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lordstown-Arnot complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 12023; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Berne, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,599base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.5 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 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 45 °F 72°45° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Schoharie, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Schoharie, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

120735b
Gallupville, NY · 5 mi
121075b
Knox, NY · 5 mi
121475b
Rensselaerville, NY · 6 mi
120595b
East Berne, NY · 6 mi
121575b
Schoharie, NY · 7 mi
121225b
Middleburgh, NY · 8 mi
121935b
Westerlo, NY · 9 mi
121415b
Quaker Street, NY · 9 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12023

What planting zone is ZIP code 12023?

ZIP code 12023 (Berne, 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 Berne, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12023 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Schoharie station.

When is the first frost in Berne, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12023 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12023?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12023 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Schoharie station).

How hot do summers get in Berne, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12023 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lordstown at the center of ZIP 12023: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Berne, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12023 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Berne, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12023 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).