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

Planting zone for 14812 — Beaver Dams, NY

ZIP code 14812 (Beaver Dams, Schuyler County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 14812 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 9
First frostOct 9
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Beaver Dams, 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 Beaver Dams, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY — 11 miles away, elevation 955 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 14812

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 14812 came on Apr 10 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

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 Beaver Dams, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14812 is Fremont — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Fremont silt loam, 3 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 14812; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Beaver Dams, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,475base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 17 °F 36°17° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY (11 mi away); precipitation: Corning 0.7 Nnw, NY (11 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.

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14812

What planting zone is ZIP code 14812?

ZIP code 14812 (Beaver Dams, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Beaver Dams, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14812 is May 9; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elmira Corning Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Beaver Dams, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14812 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14812?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14812 get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corning 0.7 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Beaver Dams, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14812 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fremont at the center of ZIP 14812: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Beaver Dams, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14812 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Beaver Dams, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14812 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14812 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14812 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.