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

Planting zone for 12060 — East Chatham, NY

ZIP code 12060 (East Chatham, Columbia County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 12060 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 frostApr 27
First frostOct 14
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 East Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Valatie 1 N, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 299 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 12060

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 12060 came on Apr 11 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

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 East Chatham, NY.

Soil in East Chatham, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12060 is Manlius — channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Manlius channery silt loam, 8 to 15 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 12060; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Chatham, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,856base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 32 °F 50°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valatie 1 N, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Valatie 1 N, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

121366a
Old Chatham, NY · 3 mi
120295b
Canaan, NY · 4 mi
120245b
Brainard, NY · 5 mi
121955b
West Lebanon, NY · 5 mi
120376a
Chatham, NY · 6 mi
121156a
Malden Bridge, NY · 6 mi
121655b
Spencertown, NY · 7 mi
120175b
Austerlitz, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12060

What planting zone is ZIP code 12060?

ZIP code 12060 (East Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12060 is April 27; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valatie 1 N station.

When is the first frost in East Chatham, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12060 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12060?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12060 get?

About 42 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valatie 1 N station).

How hot do summers get in East Chatham, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12060 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Manlius at the center of ZIP 12060: channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 12060 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Chatham, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12060 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).