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

Planting zone for 12943 — Keene Valley, NY

ZIP code 12943 (Keene Valley, Essex County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 12943 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 27

First frostSep 22

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Keene Valley, 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 Keene Valley, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season118 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Lake Placid 2 S, NY — 14 miles away, elevation 1,890 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 12943

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 12943 came on Apr 29 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 5).

average
May 52026
Apr 29

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 4a in New York

452 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Keene Valley, NY.

Soil in Keene Valley, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12943 is Ricker — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter96%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ricker-Couchsachraga-Skylight complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very 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 12943; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Keene Valley, NY

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,523base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 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)

Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall104 inper year; 124 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: Lake Placid 2 S, NY (14 mi away); precipitation: Lake Placid 2 S, NY (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

128554b

North Hudson, NY · 9 mi

129464a

Lake Placid, NY · 10 mi

129424b

Keene, NY · 10 mi

129644b

New Russia, NY · 12 mi

129984b

Witherbee, NY · 14 mi

129324b

Elizabethtown, NY · 15 mi

129614b

Moriah Center, NY · 15 mi

128524b

Newcomb, NY · 16 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12943

What planting zone is ZIP code 12943?

ZIP code 12943 (Keene Valley, 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 Keene Valley, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12943 is May 27; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Placid 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Keene Valley, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12943 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 118 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12943?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12943 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year and 104 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Placid 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Keene Valley, NY?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12943 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ricker at the center of ZIP 12943: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Keene Valley, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12943 came on Apr 29 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Keene Valley, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12943 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 12943 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 12943 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.