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

Planting zone for 12153 — Sand Lake, NY

ZIP code 12153 (Sand Lake, Rensselaer County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 12153 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 1
First frostOct 11
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 Sand 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 Sand Lake, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Grafton, NY — 11 miles away, elevation 1,562 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 12153

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 12153 came on Apr 12 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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 Sand Lake, NY.

Soil in Sand Lake, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12153 is Brayton — gravelly silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brayton very stony silt loam, nearly level.

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 12153; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sand Lake, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,235base 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)
Precipitation46.6 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 30 °F, low 14 °F 30°14° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 16 °F 32°16° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 58 °F 77°58° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 21 °F 34°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grafton, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Averill Park 0.9 Wnw, NY (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

120185b
Averill Park, NY · 2 mi
121695b
Stephentown, NY · 3 mi
120405b
Cherry Plain, NY · 6 mi
121406a
Poestenkill, NY · 6 mi
121685b
Stephentown, NY · 7 mi
120625b
East Nassau, NY · 7 mi
121966a
West Sand Lake, NY · 7 mi
120225b
Berlin, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12153

What planting zone is ZIP code 12153?

ZIP code 12153 (Sand Lake, 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 Sand Lake, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12153 is May 1; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grafton station.

When is the first frost in Sand Lake, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12153 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12153?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12153 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Averill Park 0.9 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Sand Lake, NY?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12153 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brayton at the center of ZIP 12153: gravelly silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 12153 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sand Lake, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12153 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).