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

Planting zone for 12874 — Silver Bay, NY

ZIP code 12874 (Silver Bay, Warren County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 12874 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 frostApr 30
First frostOct 12
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 Silver Bay, 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 Silver Bay, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Whitehall, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 118 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 12874

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 12874 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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 Silver Bay, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12874 is Bice — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter60%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bice-Woodstock very bouldery fine sandy loams, steep.

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 12874; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Silver Bay, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,765base 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)
Precipitation42.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 13 °F 34°13° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Whitehall, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: Whitehall, NY (12 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.

128364b
Hague, NY · 3 mi
128145a
Bolton Landing, NY · 6 mi
128154b
Brant Lake, NY · 7 mi
128615a
Putnam Station, NY · 8 mi
128195a
Clemons, NY · 8 mi
128415a
Huletts Landing, NY · 8 mi
128834b
Ticonderoga, NY · 10 mi
128085a
Adirondack, NY · 11 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12874

What planting zone is ZIP code 12874?

ZIP code 12874 (Silver Bay, 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 Silver Bay, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12874 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitehall station.

When is the first frost in Silver Bay, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12874 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12874?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12874 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitehall station).

How hot do summers get in Silver Bay, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12874 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bice at the center of ZIP 12874: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Silver Bay, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12874 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Silver Bay, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12874 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12874 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12874 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.