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

Planting zone for 12117 — Mayfield, NY

ZIP code 12117 (Mayfield, Fulton County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 12117 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 11

First frostOct 3

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mayfield, 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 Mayfield, 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 — 9 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 12117

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 12117 came on Apr 17 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
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 5a in New York

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Mayfield, NY.

Soil in Mayfield, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12117 is Tunbridge — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery.

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 12117; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mayfield, 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 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gloversville 7nw (Peck Lake), NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Northville, NY (3 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.

120785a

Gloversville, NY · 5 mi

121345a

Northville, NY · 7 mi

120255a

Broadalbin, NY · 9 mi

120955b

Johnstown, NY · 12 mi

120705b

Fort Johnson, NY · 13 mi

Tribes Hill, NY · 15 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12117

What planting zone is ZIP code 12117?

ZIP code 12117 (Mayfield, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Mayfield, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12117 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 Mayfield, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12117 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12117?

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 12117 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Northville station).

How hot do summers get in Mayfield, 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 12117 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 12117: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mayfield, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12117 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mayfield, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12117 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).