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

Planting zone for 12851 — Minerva, NY

ZIP code 12851 (Minerva, Essex County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 12851 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 21

First frostSep 26

2012 zone4b

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 Service

Loading the forecast for Minerva, 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 Minerva, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season126 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Newcomb, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 1,647 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 12851

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 12851 came on Apr 18 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
Apr 18

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 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.

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 Minerva, NY.

Soil in Minerva, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12851 is Becket — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Becket-Tunbridge-Skerry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery.

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 12851; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minerva, NY

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,579base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall105 inper year; 139 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: Newcomb, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Newcomb, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

128794b

Newcomb, NY · 8 mi

128574b

Olmstedville, NY · 9 mi

128524b

Newcomb, NY · 9 mi

128424b

Indian Lake, NY · 12 mi

128644b

Sabael, NY · 13 mi

128564b

North River, NY · 13 mi

128124a

Blue Mountain Lake, NY · 14 mi

128534b

North Creek, NY · 14 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12851

What planting zone is ZIP code 12851?

ZIP code 12851 (Minerva, 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 Minerva, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12851 is May 21; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newcomb station.

When is the first frost in Minerva, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12851 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 126 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12851?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12851 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year and 105 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newcomb station).

How hot do summers get in Minerva, NY?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12851 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Becket at the center of ZIP 12851: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Minerva, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12851 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minerva, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12851 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).