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

Planting zone for 12032 — Caroga Lake, NY

ZIP code 12032 (Caroga Lake, Fulton County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 12032 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 11

First frostOct 3

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Caroga Lake, 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 Caroga Lake, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Gloversville 7nw (Peck Lake), NY — 15 miles away, elevation 1,457 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 12032

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

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 11) 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 12032 came on Apr 17 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

average
Apr 282026
Apr 17

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 4b in New York

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Caroga Lake, NY.

Soil in Caroga Lake, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12032 is Rawsonville — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter90%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rawsonville-Hogback complex, 35 to 60 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 12032; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Caroga Lake, NY

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights179nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,692base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall129 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gloversville 7nw (Peck Lake), NY (15 mi away); precipitation: Piseco, NY (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

134705a

Stratford, NY · 7 mi

134545a

Salisbury Center, NY · 12 mi

133534b

Hoffmeister, NY · 12 mi

133295a

Dolgeville, NY · 14 mi

121394b

Piseco, NY · 15 mi

121084b

Lake Pleasant, NY · 15 mi

133244b

Cold Brook, NY · 17 mi

120785a

Gloversville, NY · 17 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12032

What planting zone is ZIP code 12032?

ZIP code 12032 (Caroga Lake, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Caroga Lake, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12032 is May 11; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gloversville 7nw (Peck Lake) station.

When is the first frost in Caroga Lake, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12032 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12032?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12032 get?

About 54.6 inches of precipitation a year and 129 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Piseco station).

How hot do summers get in Caroga Lake, NY?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12032 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rawsonville at the center of ZIP 12032: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Caroga Lake, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12032 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Caroga Lake, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12032 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).