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

Planting zone for 12788 — Woodbourne, NY

ZIP code 12788 (Woodbourne, Sullivan County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 12788 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 9

First frostOct 5

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 Woodbourne, 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 Woodbourne, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Liberty 1 Ne, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 1,581 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 12788

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 12788 came on Apr 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Apr 8

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 Woodbourne, NY.

Soil in Woodbourne, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12788 is Oquaga — very channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery channery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Oquaga-Arnot complex, 8 to 15 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 12788; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Woodbourne, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,033base 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)

Precipitation53.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall70 inper year; 87 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Liberty 1 Ne, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Liberty 1 Ne, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

127596a

Loch Sheldrake, NY · 4 mi

127476a

Hurleyville, NY · 4 mi

Greenfield Park, NY · 7 mi

127796a

South Fallsburg, NY · 7 mi

127546a

Liberty, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12788

What planting zone is ZIP code 12788?

ZIP code 12788 (Woodbourne, 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 Woodbourne, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12788 is May 9; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Liberty 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Woodbourne, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12788 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12788?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12788 get?

About 53.1 inches of precipitation a year and 70 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Liberty 1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Woodbourne, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12788 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oquaga at the center of ZIP 12788: very channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Woodbourne, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12788 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Woodbourne, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12788 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12788 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12788 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.