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

Planting zone for 12431 — Freehold, NY

ZIP code 12431 (Freehold, Greene County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 12431 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 frostApr 29

First frostOct 14

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 Freehold, 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 Freehold, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Cairo 3 Nw, NY — 3 miles away, elevation 489 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 12431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 12431 came on Apr 8 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
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 Freehold, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12431 is Burdett — channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Burdett channery 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 12431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Freehold, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,720base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45 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: Cairo 3 Nw, NY (3 mi away); precipitation: Freehold 3.4 E, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Greenville, NY · 4 mi

124235b

East Durham, NY · 5 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12431

What planting zone is ZIP code 12431?

ZIP code 12431 (Freehold, 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 Freehold, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12431 is April 29; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cairo 3 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Freehold, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12431 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12431 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freehold 3.4 E station).

How hot do summers get in Freehold, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burdett at the center of ZIP 12431: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Freehold, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12431 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Freehold, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12431 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).