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

Planting zone for 12475 — Ruby, NY

ZIP code 12475 (Ruby, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 12475 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 frostMay 9
First frostOct 4
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 Ruby, 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 Ruby, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Platte Clove, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 2,031 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 12475

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 12475 came on Apr 3 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 Ruby, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12475 is Bath — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bath-Nassau complex, 8 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 12475; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ruby, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,067base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation59.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

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 35 °F, low 13 °F 35°13° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° 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 48 °F 72°48° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 JanFebruary: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 6.23 in precipitation 6.2 AugSeptember: 5.35 in precipitation 5.3 SepOctober: 6.88 in precipitation 6.9 OctNovember: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 NovDecember: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Platte Clove, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Tannersville 4.5 Sse, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

124566a
Mount Marion, NY · 2 mi
124496a
Lake Katrine, NY · 2 mi
124016a
Kingston, NY · 2 mi
124326a
Glasco, NY · 4 mi
125076a
Barrytown, NY · 5 mi
125046a
Annandale On Hudson, NY · 5 mi
124986a
Woodstock, NY · 5 mi
124776a
Saugerties, NY · 6 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12475

What planting zone is ZIP code 12475?

ZIP code 12475 (Ruby, 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 Ruby, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12475 is May 9; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Platte Clove station.

When is the first frost in Ruby, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12475 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12475?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12475 get?

About 59.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tannersville 4.5 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Ruby, NY?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12475 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bath at the center of ZIP 12475: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ruby, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12475 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 Ruby, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12475 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12475 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12475 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.