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

Planting zone for 12549 — Montgomery, NY

ZIP code 12549 (Montgomery, Orange County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 12549 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 frostMay 1

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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Montgomery Orange Airport, NY — within 1 mile, elevation 364 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 12549

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

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 (May 1) 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 12549 came on Apr 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 1

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 Montgomery, NY.

Soil in Montgomery, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12549 is Chenango — gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chenango 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 12549; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montgomery, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,726base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41 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: Montgomery Orange Airport, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Montgomery Orange Airport, NY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Middletown, NY · 5 mi

125866b

Walden, NY · 5 mi

109166b

Campbell Hall, NY · 5 mi

125756b

Rock Tavern, NY · 6 mi

109856b

Thompson Ridge, NY · 6 mi

109196b

Circleville, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12549

What planting zone is ZIP code 12549?

ZIP code 12549 (Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12549 is May 1; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montgomery Orange Airport station.

When is the first frost in Montgomery, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12549 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12549?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12549 get?

About 41 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montgomery Orange Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Montgomery, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12549 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chenango at the center of ZIP 12549: gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Montgomery, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12549 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Montgomery, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12549 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12549 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12549 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.