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

Planting zone for 12451 — Leeds, NY

ZIP code 12451 (Leeds, Greene County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 12451 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 14

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Leeds, 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 Leeds, 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 — 4 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 12451

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 12451 came on Apr 5 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Apr 5

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 Leeds, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12451 is Valois — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valois gravelly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony.

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 12451; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leeds, 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 05 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 (4 mi away); precipitation: Freehold 3.4 E, NY (4 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.

124826a

South Cairo, NY · 3 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12451

What planting zone is ZIP code 12451?

ZIP code 12451 (Leeds, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Leeds, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12451 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 Leeds, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12451 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12451?

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 12451 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Leeds, 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 12451 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valois at the center of ZIP 12451: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Leeds, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12451 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Leeds, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12451 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12451 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12451 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.