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

Planting zone for 12059 — East Berne, NY

ZIP code 12059 (East Berne, Albany 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 7.

Where ZIP 12059 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 7
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East 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 East Berne, 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 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Delanson 2ne, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 984 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 12059

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 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 12059 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).

Soil in East Berne, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12059 is Nunda — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nunda silt loam, 25 to 35 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 12059; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Berne, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,350base 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)
Precipitation45 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 31 °F, low 12 °F 31°12° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 13 °F 34°13° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Delanson 2ne, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: Altamont 2.7 Ssw, NY (3 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.

121075b
Knox, NY · 4 mi
121865b
Voorheesville, NY · 4 mi
120555b
Dormansville, NY · 5 mi
120095b
Altamont, NY · 6 mi
120235b
Berne, NY · 6 mi
120415b
Clarksville, NY · 7 mi
121935b
Westerlo, NY · 7 mi
120856a
Guilderland Center, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12059

What planting zone is ZIP code 12059?

ZIP code 12059 (East 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 East Berne, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12059 is May 7; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Delanson 2ne station.

When is the first frost in East Berne, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12059 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12059?

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 12059 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Altamont 2.7 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in East Berne, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12059 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nunda at the center of ZIP 12059: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in East Berne, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12059 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 East Berne, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12059 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12059 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12059 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.