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

Planting zone for 12548 — Modena, NY

ZIP code 12548 (Modena, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 12548 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 29

First frostOct 11

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 Modena, 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 Modena, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Walden 1 Ese, NY — 8 miles away, elevation 381 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 12548

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 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 12548 came on Apr 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Apr 2

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 6b in New York

641 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Modena, NY.

Soil in Modena, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12548 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 12548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Modena, NY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,870base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation45.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall44 inper year; 58 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: Walden 1 Ese, NY (8 mi away); precipitation: Walden 1 Ese, NY (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

125686b

Plattekill, NY · 2 mi

125156b

Clintondale, NY · 2 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12548

What planting zone is ZIP code 12548?

ZIP code 12548 (Modena, 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 Modena, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12548 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walden 1 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Modena, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12548 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12548?

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 12548 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walden 1 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Modena, NY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mardin at the center of ZIP 12548: gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Modena, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12548 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Modena, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12548 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12548 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12548 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.