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

Planting zone for 12780 — Sparrow Bush, NY

ZIP code 12780 (Sparrow Bush, Orange County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 12780 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 2
First frostOct 12
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 Sparrow Bush, 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 Sparrow Bush, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Matamoras, PA — 3 miles away, elevation 459 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 12780

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 12780 came on Apr 2 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Sparrow Bush, NY.

Soil in Sparrow Bush, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12780 is Swartswood — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Swartswood and Mardin soils, sloping, very stony.

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 12780; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sparrow Bush, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,506base 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)
Precipitation47.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall41 inper year; 51 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 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.14 in precipitation, 11.6 in snowfall 3.1❄12 JanFebruary: 2.94 in precipitation, 9.7 in snowfall 2.9❄10 FebMarch: 3.90 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 3.9❄7 MarApril: 3.90 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 3.9❄2 AprMay: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 5.38 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.30 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.3❄1 NovDecember: 3.96 in precipitation, 10 in snowfall 4.0❄10 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

183406b
Millrift, PA · 3 mi
127466b
Huguenot, NY · 4 mi
183366b
Matamoras, PA · 5 mi
127376a
Glen Spey, NY · 6 mi
127706a
Pond Eddy, NY · 6 mi
127716b
Port Jervis, NY · 7 mi
127296b
Cuddebackville, NY · 7 mi
127776a
Forestburgh, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12780

What planting zone is ZIP code 12780?

ZIP code 12780 (Sparrow Bush, 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 Sparrow Bush, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12780 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matamoras station.

When is the first frost in Sparrow Bush, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12780 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12780?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12780 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matamoras station).

How hot do summers get in Sparrow Bush, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12780 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Swartswood at the center of ZIP 12780: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sparrow Bush, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12780 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sparrow Bush, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12780 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12780 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12780 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.