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

Planting zone for 12959 — Mooers Forks, NY

ZIP code 12959 (Mooers Forks, Clinton County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 12959 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 10

First frostOct 2

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 Mooers Forks, 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 Mooers Forks, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Ellenburg Depot, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 951 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 12959

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 12959 came on Apr 19 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
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).

Soil in Mooers Forks, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12959 is Colosse — moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colosse-Trout River complex, strongly sloping, very stony.

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 12959; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mooers Forks, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,052base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall107 inper year; 109 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: Ellenburg Depot, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Ellenburg Depot, NY (6 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.

Ellenburg Depot, NY · 8 mi

129105a

Altona, NY · 9 mi

129235a

Churubusco, NY · 12 mi

129345a

Ellenburg Center, NY · 12 mi

129195a

Champlain, NY · 13 mi

129925a

West Chazy, NY · 14 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12959

What planting zone is ZIP code 12959?

ZIP code 12959 (Mooers Forks, 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 Mooers Forks, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12959 is May 10; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ellenburg Depot station.

When is the first frost in Mooers Forks, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12959 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12959?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12959 get?

About 35.7 inches of precipitation a year and 107 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ellenburg Depot station).

How hot do summers get in Mooers Forks, NY?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12959 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colosse at the center of ZIP 12959: moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mooers Forks, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12959 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mooers Forks, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12959 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).