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

Planting zone for 12410 — Big Indian, NY

ZIP code 12410 (Big Indian, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 12410 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 6
First frostOct 7
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 Big Indian, 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 Big Indian, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Slide Mtn, NY — 3 miles away, elevation 2,651 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 12410

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 12410 came on Apr 12 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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 Big Indian, NY.

Soil in Big Indian, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12410 is Arnot — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Arnot complex, 25 to 70 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 12410; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Big Indian, NY

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,671base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation63.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall105 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° JunJuly: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 48 °F 67°48° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 38 °F 55°38° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 4.65 in precipitation, 24.6 in snowfall 4.7❄25 JanFebruary: 3.20 in precipitation, 20.6 in snowfall 3.2❄21 FebMarch: 5.06 in precipitation, 18.5 in snowfall 5.1❄19 MarApril: 4.86 in precipitation, 5.9 in snowfall 4.9❄6 AprMay: 4.97 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 5.0 MayJune: 6.04 in precipitation 6.0 JunJuly: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 5.59 in precipitation 5.6 AugSeptember: 6.18 in precipitation 6.2 SepOctober: 6.39 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 6.4❄2 OctNovember: 5.43 in precipitation, 9.3 in snowfall 5.4❄9 NovDecember: 5.48 in precipitation, 23.2 in snowfall 5.5❄23 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Slide Mtn, NY (3 mi away); precipitation: Slide Mtn, NY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

124646a
Phoenicia, NY · 4 mi
124805b
Shandaken, NY · 5 mi
124655b
Pine Hill, NY · 7 mi
124415b
Highmount, NY · 7 mi
124166a
Chichester, NY · 8 mi
124065b
Arkville, NY · 8 mi
124126a
Boiceville, NY · 8 mi
127406a
Grahamsville, NY · 9 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12410

What planting zone is ZIP code 12410?

ZIP code 12410 (Big Indian, 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 Big Indian, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12410 is May 6; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Slide Mtn station.

When is the first frost in Big Indian, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12410 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12410?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12410 get?

About 63.1 inches of precipitation a year and 105 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Slide Mtn station).

How hot do summers get in Big Indian, NY?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12410 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arnot at the center of ZIP 12410: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Big Indian, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12410 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Big Indian, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12410 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).