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

Planting zone for 12441 — Highmount, NY

ZIP code 12441 (Highmount, 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 12441 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 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 Highmount, 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 Highmount, 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 — 11 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 12441

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 12441 came on Apr 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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 Highmount, NY.

Soil in Highmount, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12441 is Mongaup — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mongaup channery loam, 15 to 25 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 12441; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Highmount, 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 16 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)

Precipitation44.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall59 inper year; 66 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: Slide Mtn, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Arkville 2 W, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

124655b

Pine Hill, NY · 2 mi

124305b

Fleischmanns, NY · 3 mi

Halcottsville, NY · 6 mi

124105b

Big Indian, NY · 7 mi

124215b

Denver, NY · 8 mi

124555b

Margaretville, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12441

What planting zone is ZIP code 12441?

ZIP code 12441 (Highmount, 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 Highmount, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12441 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 Highmount, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12441 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12441?

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 12441 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 Highmount, 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 12441 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mongaup at the center of ZIP 12441: channery loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Highmount, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12441 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Highmount, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12441 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12441 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12441 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.