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

Planting zone for 12561 — New Paltz, NY

ZIP code 12561 (New Paltz, Ulster County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 12561 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 21
First frostOct 27
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full 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 New Paltz, 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 New Paltz, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Mohonk Lake, NY — 3 miles away, elevation 1,247 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 12561

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 12561 came on Apr 2 — 5 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).

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.

Trees 77

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 130

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 217

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 192

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 New Paltz, NY.

Soil in New Paltz, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12561 is Atherton — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter7%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Atherton silt loam.

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 12561; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Paltz, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,972base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation52.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 78 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 63 °F 80°63° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 56 °F 73°56° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 45 °F 61°45° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 35 °F 49°35° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 26 °F 38°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.80 in precipitation, 14.6 in snowfall 3.8❄15 JanFebruary: 3.19 in precipitation, 14.6 in snowfall 3.2❄15 FebMarch: 4.26 in precipitation, 12.4 in snowfall 4.3❄12 MarApril: 3.99 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 4.0❄2 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 5.18 in precipitation 5.2 SepOctober: 5.24 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.2 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 3.8❄3 NovDecember: 4.77 in precipitation, 12.9 in snowfall 4.8❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mohonk Lake, NY (3 mi away); precipitation: Mohonk Lake, NY (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

124406b
High Falls, NY · 4 mi
124866b
Tillson, NY · 5 mi
124716b
Rifton, NY · 6 mi
125156b
Clintondale, NY · 6 mi
124726b
Rosendale, NY · 6 mi
125286b
Highland, NY · 6 mi
124936a
West Park, NY · 6 mi
124196b
Cottekill, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12561

What planting zone is ZIP code 12561?

ZIP code 12561 (New Paltz, 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 New Paltz, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12561 is April 21; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mohonk Lake station.

When is the first frost in New Paltz, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12561 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12561?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12561 get?

About 52.6 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mohonk Lake station).

How hot do summers get in New Paltz, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12561 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Atherton at the center of ZIP 12561: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Paltz, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12561 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Paltz, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12561 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12561 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12561 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.