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

Planting zone for 12927 — Cranberry Lake, NY

ZIP code 12927 (Cranberry Lake, St. Lawrence County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 12927 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F
Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C
Last frostMay 18
First frostSep 28
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cranberry Lake, 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 Cranberry Lake, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season132 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Wanakena Rngr School, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 1,509 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 12927

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 12927 came on Apr 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

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 Cranberry Lake, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12927 is Potsdam — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter60%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Potsdam-Tunbridge complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, 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 12927; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cranberry Lake, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights181nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,005base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 52 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

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 5 °F 29°5° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 5 °F 31°5° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 13 °F 40°13° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wanakena Rngr School, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Wanakena Rngr School, NY (6 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.

136664a
Newton Falls, NY · 7 mi
136954a
Wanakena, NY · 9 mi
129224a
Childwold, NY · 11 mi
136904a
Star Lake, NY · 11 mi
129734a
Piercefield, NY · 13 mi
136844b
Russell, NY · 14 mi
136704a
Oswegatchie, NY · 14 mi
136874a
South Colton, NY · 16 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12927

What planting zone is ZIP code 12927?

ZIP code 12927 (Cranberry Lake, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Cranberry Lake, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12927 is May 18; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wanakena Rngr School station.

When is the first frost in Cranberry Lake, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12927 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 132 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12927?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12927 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wanakena Rngr School station).

How hot do summers get in Cranberry Lake, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12927 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Potsdam at the center of ZIP 12927: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cranberry Lake, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12927 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cranberry Lake, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12927 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).