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

Planting zone for 12164 — Speculator, NY

ZIP code 12164 (Speculator, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 12164 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 23

First frostSep 27

2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Speculator, 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 Speculator, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 12

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Indian Lake 2sw, NY — 11 miles away, elevation 1,670 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 12164

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 12164 came on Apr 18 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
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).

Soil in Speculator, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12164 is Mundalite — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mundalite-Ampersand complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, 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 12164; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Speculator, NY

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,541base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall102 inper year; 128 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Indian Lake 2sw, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Indian Lake 2sw, NY (11 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.

128644b

Sabael, NY · 9 mi

128424b

Indian Lake, NY · 10 mi

121394b

Piseco, NY · 12 mi

121084b

Lake Pleasant, NY · 13 mi

134364a

Raquette Lake, NY · 14 mi

North River, NY · 15 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12164

What planting zone is ZIP code 12164?

ZIP code 12164 (Speculator, 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 Speculator, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12164 is May 23; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indian Lake 2sw station.

When is the first frost in Speculator, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12164 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12164?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12164 get?

About 43.5 inches of precipitation a year and 102 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indian Lake 2sw station).

How hot do summers get in Speculator, NY?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12164 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mundalite at the center of ZIP 12164: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Speculator, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12164 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Speculator, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12164 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12164 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12164 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.