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

Planting zone for 12190 — Wells, NY

ZIP code 12190 (Wells, 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 12190 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 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wells, 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 Wells, 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 — 19 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 12190

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 12190 came on Apr 17 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
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 4b in New York

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Wells, NY.

Soil in Wells, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12190 is Skerry — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Skerry-Becket complex, 3 to 15 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 12190; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wells, 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 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 57 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall129 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Indian Lake 2sw, NY (19 mi away); precipitation: Piseco, NY (12 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.

121084b

Lake Pleasant, NY · 8 mi

128784b

Stony Creek, NY · 11 mi

128114b

Bakers Mills, NY · 12 mi

121644b

Speculator, NY · 15 mi

121394b

Piseco, NY · 15 mi

128564b

North River, NY · 15 mi

121345a

Northville, NY · 15 mi

128424b

Indian Lake, NY · 17 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12190

What planting zone is ZIP code 12190?

ZIP code 12190 (Wells, 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 Wells, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12190 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 Wells, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12190 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12190?

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 12190 get?

About 54.6 inches of precipitation a year and 129 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Piseco station).

How hot do summers get in Wells, 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 12190 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Skerry at the center of ZIP 12190: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wells, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12190 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wells, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12190 is 15 h 25 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).