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

Planting zone for 12563 — Patterson, NY

ZIP code 12563 (Patterson, Putnam County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 12563 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 28
First frostOct 16
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 Patterson, 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 Patterson, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Carmel 4n, NY — 4 miles away, elevation 679 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 12563

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 12563 came on Apr 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 Patterson, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12563 is Catden — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter82%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Catden muck, 0 to 2 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 12563; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Patterson, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,370base 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)
Precipitation50.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 56 °F 74°56° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 61 °F 78°61° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 60 °F 76°60° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 53 °F 70°53° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carmel 4n, NY (4 mi away); precipitation: Carmel 4n, NY (4 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.

125316b
Holmes, NY · 5 mi
068126b
New Fairfield, CT · 5 mi
125646a
Pawling, NY · 6 mi
105096b
Brewster, NY · 6 mi
067846b
Sherman, CT · 7 mi
105126b
Carmel, NY · 7 mi
068116b
Danbury, CT · 8 mi
125826b
Stormville, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12563

What planting zone is ZIP code 12563?

ZIP code 12563 (Patterson, 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 Patterson, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12563 is April 28; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmel 4n station.

When is the first frost in Patterson, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12563 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12563?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12563 get?

About 50.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmel 4n station).

How hot do summers get in Patterson, NY?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12563 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Catden at the center of ZIP 12563: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Patterson, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12563 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Patterson, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12563 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12563 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12563 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.