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

Planting zone for 12809 — Argyle, NY

ZIP code 12809 (Argyle, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 12809 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostSep 30

2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Argyle, 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 Argyle, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Glens Falls Airport, NY — 11 miles away, elevation 322 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 12809

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 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 12809 came on Apr 12 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
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).

Soil in Argyle, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12809 is Bernardston — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bernardston gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 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 12809; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Argyle, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,263base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation38.2 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: Glens Falls Airport, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Glens Falls Airport, NY (11 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.

128285a

Fort Edward, NY · 4 mi

South Glens Falls, NY · 9 mi

128395a

Hudson Falls, NY · 9 mi

128015a

Glens Falls, NY · 10 mi

128345b

Greenwich, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12809

What planting zone is ZIP code 12809?

ZIP code 12809 (Argyle, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Argyle, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12809 is May 9; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glens Falls Airport station.

When is the first frost in Argyle, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12809 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12809?

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 12809 get?

About 38.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glens Falls Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Argyle, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12809 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bernardston at the center of ZIP 12809: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Argyle, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12809 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Argyle, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12809 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).