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

Planting zone for 12196 — West Sand Lake, NY

ZIP code 12196 (West Sand Lake, Rensselaer County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 12196 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 19

First frostOct 26

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West 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 West Sand Lake, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Troy L&D, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 16 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 12196

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 12196 came on Apr 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Apr 12

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 6a in New York

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 West Sand Lake, NY.

Soil in West Sand Lake, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12196 is Pittstown — gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Pittstown gravelly 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 12196; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Sand Lake, NY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,188base 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)

Precipitation46.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall53 inper year; 65 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: Troy L&D, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: West Sand Lake 2 S, NY (within 1 mile). 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.

121986a

Wynantskill, NY · 3 mi

120616a

East Greenbush, NY · 3 mi

121406a

Poestenkill, NY · 4 mi

120636a

East Schodack, NY · 5 mi

120185b

Averill Park, NY · 5 mi

121446a

Rensselaer, NY · 5 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12196

What planting zone is ZIP code 12196?

ZIP code 12196 (West Sand Lake, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in West Sand Lake, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12196 is April 19; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Troy L&D station.

When is the first frost in West Sand Lake, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12196 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12196?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12196 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year and 53 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Sand Lake 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in West Sand Lake, NY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12196 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pittstown at the center of ZIP 12196: gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 12196 came on Apr 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Sand Lake, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12196 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12196 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12196 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.