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

Planting zone for 12481 — Shokan, NY

ZIP code 12481 (Shokan, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 12481 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 6
First frostOct 7
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 Shokan, 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 Shokan, 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 — 10 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 12481

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 12481 came on Apr 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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 Shokan, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12481 is Valois — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter50%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valois very bouldery soils, gently sloping.

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 12481; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shokan, 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 14 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)
Precipitation53.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° JunJuly: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 48 °F 67°48° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 38 °F 55°38° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 SepOctober: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Slide Mtn, NY (10 mi away); precipitation: Shokan Brown Station, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

124126a
Boiceville, NY · 4 mi
124336a
Glenford, NY · 4 mi
124946a
West Shokan, NY · 4 mi
124576a
Mount Tremper, NY · 4 mi
124916a
West Hurley, NY · 5 mi
124616a
Olivebridge, NY · 5 mi
124096a
Bearsville, NY · 6 mi
124486a
Lake Hill, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12481

What planting zone is ZIP code 12481?

ZIP code 12481 (Shokan, 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 Shokan, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12481 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 Shokan, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12481 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12481?

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 12481 get?

About 53.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shokan Brown Station station).

How hot do summers get in Shokan, 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 12481 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valois at the center of ZIP 12481: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shokan, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12481 came on Apr 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shokan, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12481 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12481 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12481 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.