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

Planting zone for 12574 — Rhinecliff, NY

ZIP code 12574 (Rhinecliff, 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 12574 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 Rhinecliff, 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 Rhinecliff, 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 — 4 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 12574

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 12574 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).

Soil in Rhinecliff, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12574 is Dutchess — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5.5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dutchess-Cardigan complex, rolling, rocky.

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 12574; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rhinecliff, 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 14 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

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 11 °F 37°11° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 12 °F 40°12° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 20 °F 49°20° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 31 °F 62°31° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 43 °F 73°43° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 17 °F 42°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rhinebeck 4se, NY (4 mi away); precipitation: Rhinebeck 4se, NY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

124666b
Port Ewen, NY · 2 mi
124176b
Connelly, NY · 2 mi
124026b
Kingston, NY · 3 mi
125726a
Rhinebeck, NY · 4 mi
124876a
Ulster Park, NY · 4 mi
125806a
Staatsburg, NY · 5 mi
124116b
Bloomington, NY · 6 mi
124496a
Lake Katrine, NY · 6 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12574

What planting zone is ZIP code 12574?

ZIP code 12574 (Rhinecliff, 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 Rhinecliff, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12574 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 Rhinecliff, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12574 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12574?

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 12574 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Rhinecliff, 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 12574 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dutchess at the center of ZIP 12574: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rhinecliff, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12574 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 Rhinecliff, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12574 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12574 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12574 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.