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

Planting zone for 12421 — Denver, NY

ZIP code 12421 (Denver, Delaware County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 12421 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 18

First frostOct 2

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Denver, 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 Denver, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Lansing Manor, NY — 14 miles away, elevation 1,099 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 12421

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 12421 came on Apr 12 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
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 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.

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 Denver, NY.

Soil in Denver, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12421 is Lewbeach — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lewbeach channery 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 12421; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Denver, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,190base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lansing Manor, NY (14 mi away); precipitation: Hobart 4.8 Ese, NY (7 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.

124745a

Roxbury, NY · 3 mi

124305b

Fleischmanns, NY · 4 mi

124385b

Halcottsville, NY · 5 mi

124345b

Grand Gorge, NY · 7 mi

124595b

New Kingston, NY · 7 mi

124685b

Prattsville, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12421

What planting zone is ZIP code 12421?

ZIP code 12421 (Denver, 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 Denver, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12421 is May 18; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lansing Manor station.

When is the first frost in Denver, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12421 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12421?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12421 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hobart 4.8 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Denver, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12421 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lewbeach at the center of ZIP 12421: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Denver, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12421 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 Denver, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12421 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12421 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12421 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.