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

Planting zone for 12404 — Accord, NY

ZIP code 12404 (Accord, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 12404 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 21
First frostOct 27
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Accord, 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 Accord, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Mohonk Lake, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 1,247 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 12404

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 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 12404 came on Apr 3 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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 Accord, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12404 is Bath — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Bath 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 12404; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Accord, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,972base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation52.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 78 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 63 °F 80°63° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 56 °F 73°56° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 45 °F 61°45° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 35 °F 49°35° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 26 °F 38°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.80 in precipitation, 14.6 in snowfall 3.8❄15 JanFebruary: 3.19 in precipitation, 14.6 in snowfall 3.2❄15 FebMarch: 4.26 in precipitation, 12.4 in snowfall 4.3❄12 MarApril: 3.99 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 4.0❄2 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 5.18 in precipitation 5.2 SepOctober: 5.24 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.2 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 3.8❄3 NovDecember: 4.77 in precipitation, 12.9 in snowfall 4.8❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mohonk Lake, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Mohonk Lake, NY (6 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.

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12404

What planting zone is ZIP code 12404?

ZIP code 12404 (Accord, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Accord, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12404 is April 21; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mohonk Lake station.

When is the first frost in Accord, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12404 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12404?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12404 get?

About 52.6 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mohonk Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Accord, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12404 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bath at the center of ZIP 12404: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Accord, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12404 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Accord, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12404 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12404 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12404 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.