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

Planting zone for 12831 — Gansevoort, NY

ZIP code 12831 (Gansevoort, Saratoga County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 12831 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 17

First frostSep 29

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gansevoort, 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 Gansevoort, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Glens Falls Farm, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 505 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 12831

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 12831 came on Apr 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
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 Gansevoort, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12831 is Rhinebeck — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Rhinebeck silt loam, 0 to 3 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 12831; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gansevoort, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,285base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.6 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 Farm, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Gansevoort 1.3 Wnw, NY (within 1 mile). 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.

128035a

South Glens Falls, NY · 7 mi

128285a

Fort Edward, NY · 8 mi

128335b

Greenfield Center, NY · 8 mi

128015a

Glens Falls, NY · 8 mi

128715b

Schuylerville, NY · 8 mi

128665b

Saratoga Springs, NY · 9 mi

128845b

Victory Mills, NY · 9 mi

128045a

Queensbury, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12831

What planting zone is ZIP code 12831?

ZIP code 12831 (Gansevoort, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Gansevoort, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12831 is May 17; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glens Falls Farm station.

When is the first frost in Gansevoort, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12831 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12831?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12831 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gansevoort 1.3 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Gansevoort, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12831 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rhinebeck at the center of ZIP 12831: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gansevoort, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12831 came on Apr 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gansevoort, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12831 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12831 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12831 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.