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

Planting zone for 13045 — Cortland, NY

ZIP code 13045 (Cortland, Cortland County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 13045 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 7

First frostOct 8

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cortland, 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 Cortland, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Freeville 1 Ne, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 1,050 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 13045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

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 7) 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 13045 came on Apr 12 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Apr 12

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 Cortland, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13045 is Howard — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Howard gravelly loam, 0 to 3 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 13045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cortland, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,138base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42 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: Freeville 1 Ne, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Freeville 1.5 Ne, NY (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

137385b

Blodgett Mills, NY · 4 mi

East Homer, NY · 8 mi

130875b

Little York, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13045

What planting zone is ZIP code 13045?

ZIP code 13045 (Cortland, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Cortland, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13045 is May 7; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freeville 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Cortland, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13045 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13045 get?

About 42 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freeville 1.5 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Cortland, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Howard at the center of ZIP 13045: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cortland, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13045 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cortland, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13045 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).