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

Planting zone for 12438 — Halcottsville, NY

ZIP code 12438 (Halcottsville, Delaware County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 12438 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 19
First frostOct 1
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 Halcottsville, 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 Halcottsville, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season132 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Delhi 2 Se, NY — 16 miles away, elevation 1,460 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 12438

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 12438 came on Apr 12 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 Halcottsville, NY.

Soil in Halcottsville, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12438 is Wellsboro — channery silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wellsboro 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 12438; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Halcottsville, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,066base 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)
Precipitation44.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 66 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 12 °F 32°12° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 13 °F 34°13° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 21 °F 42°21° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.85 in precipitation, 15.4 in snowfall 2.9❄15 JanFebruary: 2.20 in precipitation, 14.4 in snowfall 2.2❄14 FebMarch: 3.04 in precipitation, 10.1 in snowfall 3.0❄10 MarApril: 3.44 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 3.4❄3 AprMay: 3.82 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.8 MayJune: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 4.23 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.2 OctNovember: 3.50 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 3.5❄3 NovDecember: 3.67 in precipitation, 12.5 in snowfall 3.7❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Delhi 2 Se, NY (16 mi away); precipitation: Arkville 2 W, NY (6 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.

124595b
New Kingston, NY · 4 mi
124215b
Denver, NY · 5 mi
124745a
Roxbury, NY · 5 mi
124555b
Margaretville, NY · 5 mi
124305b
Fleischmanns, NY · 5 mi
124415b
Highmount, NY · 6 mi
124065b
Arkville, NY · 8 mi
124655b
Pine Hill, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12438

What planting zone is ZIP code 12438?

ZIP code 12438 (Halcottsville, 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 Halcottsville, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12438 is May 19; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Delhi 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Halcottsville, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12438 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 132 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12438?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12438 get?

About 44.8 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Arkville 2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Halcottsville, NY?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12438 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wellsboro at the center of ZIP 12438: channery silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Halcottsville, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12438 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Halcottsville, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12438 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12438 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12438 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.