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

Planting zone for Potsdam, NY

Potsdam, NY is in USDA zone 4b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 8.

Potsdam on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · 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

ZIP codes2

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 8

Growing season156 days

4b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Potsdam, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Colton 2 N, NY, elevation 581 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 Potsdam

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 13699 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Apr 16

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 Potsdam, NY.

Soil in Potsdam, NY

The center of ZIP 13699 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 13699; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Potsdam, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,219base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 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)

Precipitation45.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colton 2 N, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Hannawa Falls 0.1 Sw, NY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Potsdam

New York planting zones →

Questions about Potsdam

What planting zone is Potsdam, NY?

Potsdam, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map (4b: −25 to −20 °F).

When is the last frost in Potsdam, NY?

The median last spring frost is May 5 and the median first fall frost is October 8 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colton 2 N station).

When can I plant a garden in Potsdam, NY?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 24 – Apr 14; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 12, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Potsdam, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Potsdam, NY get?

About 45.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).