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

Planting zone for 12440 — High Falls, NY

ZIP code 12440 (High Falls, 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 12440 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 High Falls, 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 High Falls, 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 — within 1 mile, 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 12440

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 12440 came on Apr 3 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 3

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 High Falls, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12440 is Mardin — gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly 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: Mardin gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 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 12440; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in High Falls, 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mohonk Lake, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Mohonk Lake, NY (within 1 mile). 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.

Stone Ridge, NY · 6 mi

Kerhonkson, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12440

What planting zone is ZIP code 12440?

ZIP code 12440 (High Falls, 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 High Falls, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12440 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 High Falls, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12440 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12440?

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 12440 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 High Falls, 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 12440 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mardin at the center of ZIP 12440: gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in High Falls, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12440 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in High Falls, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12440 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12440 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12440 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.