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

Planting zone for 12953 — Malone, NY

ZIP code 12953 (Malone, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 12953 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 6

First frostOct 4

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 Malone, 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 Malone, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Malone, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 879 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 12953

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 12953 came on Apr 19 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
Apr 19

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 Malone, NY.

Soil in Malone, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12953 is Whitman — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter87%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Whitman very stony fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes.

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 12953; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Malone, NY

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,031base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall98 inper year; 112 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: Malone, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Malone, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

129954b

Whippleville, NY · 4 mi

129694a

Owls Head, NY · 8 mi

129664b

North Bangor, NY · 9 mi

129174b

Burke, NY · 13 mi

129154b

Brainardsville, NY · 13 mi

129304b

Dickinson Center, NY · 14 mi

129205a

Chateaugay, NY · 14 mi

129164b

Brushton, NY · 14 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12953

What planting zone is ZIP code 12953?

ZIP code 12953 (Malone, 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 Malone, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12953 is May 6; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Malone station.

When is the first frost in Malone, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12953 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12953?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12953 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year and 98 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Malone station).

How hot do summers get in Malone, 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 12953 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Whitman at the center of ZIP 12953: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Malone, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12953 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Malone, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12953 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).