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

Planting zone for 12860 — Pottersville, NY

ZIP code 12860 (Pottersville, Warren County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 12860 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 23

First frostSep 27

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pottersville, 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 Pottersville, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 12

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Indian Lake 2sw, NY — 23 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 12860

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

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 12860 came on Apr 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 16

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 5a in New York

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Pottersville, NY.

Soil in Pottersville, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12860 is Fluvaquents — silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter9%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, frequently flooded.

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 12860; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pottersville, NY

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,541base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall78 inper year; 116 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: Indian Lake 2sw, NY (23 mi away); precipitation: N Creek 5 Se, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

128085a

Adirondack, NY · 4 mi

128175a

Chestertown, NY · 6 mi

128154b

Brant Lake, NY · 6 mi

Schroon Lake, NY · 8 mi

128574b

Olmstedville, NY · 10 mi

128364b

Hague, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12860

What planting zone is ZIP code 12860?

ZIP code 12860 (Pottersville, 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 Pottersville, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12860 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 Pottersville, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12860 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12860?

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 12860 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 Pottersville, 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 12860 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fluvaquents at the center of ZIP 12860: silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pottersville, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12860 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pottersville, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12860 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12860 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12860 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.