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

Planting zone for 12571 — Red Hook, NY

ZIP code 12571 (Red Hook, Dutchess County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 12571 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 14

First frostSep 28

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 Red Hook, 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 Red Hook, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season134 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Rhinebeck 4se, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 302 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 12571

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 12571 came on Apr 3 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Apr 3

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 6a in New York

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Red Hook, NY.

Soil in Red Hook, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12571 is Halsey — mucky silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter17.5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Halsey mucky 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 12571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Red Hook, NY

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,548base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 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)

Precipitation50.7 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: Rhinebeck 4se, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Rhinebeck 4se, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

125046a

Annandale On Hudson, NY · 5 mi

Elizaville, NY · 6 mi

124326a

Glasco, NY · 8 mi

125676a

Pine Plains, NY · 8 mi

125266a

Germantown, NY · 9 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12571

What planting zone is ZIP code 12571?

ZIP code 12571 (Red Hook, 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 Red Hook, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12571 is May 14; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rhinebeck 4se station.

When is the first frost in Red Hook, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12571 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12571?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12571 get?

About 50.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rhinebeck 4se station).

How hot do summers get in Red Hook, NY?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Halsey at the center of ZIP 12571: mucky silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Red Hook, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12571 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Red Hook, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12571 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12571 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12571 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.