Planting zone for 12843 — Johnsburg, NY
ZIP code 12843 (Johnsburg, Warren County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 27.
Where ZIP 12843 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 4b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Johnsburg, 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 Johnsburg, NY
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 7.
From the NOAA station Indian Lake 2sw, NY — 19 miles away, elevation 1,670 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 12843
Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 12843 came on Apr 16 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).
Apr 272026
Apr 16
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 4b in New York
526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 60
Shrubs 99
Wildflowers & perennials 183
Grasses 166
Vines 5
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 Johnsburg, NY.
Soil in Johnsburg, NY
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12843 is Plainfield — loamy sand, excessively drained.
Map unit: Plainfield loamy sand, 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 12843; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Johnsburg, NY
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Indian Lake 2sw, NY (19 mi away); precipitation: N Creek 5 Se, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 12843
What planting zone is ZIP code 12843?
ZIP code 12843 (Johnsburg, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).
When is the last frost in Johnsburg, NY?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12843 is May 23; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indian Lake 2sw station.
When is the first frost in Johnsburg, NY?
The median first fall frost near 12843 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 12843?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 12843 get?
About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year and 78 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Creek 5 Se station).
How hot do summers get in Johnsburg, NY?
The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 12843 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Plainfield at the center of ZIP 12843: loamy sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).
Did spring come early in Johnsburg, NY in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 12843 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Johnsburg, NY?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 12843 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).