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

Planting zone for 13118 — Moravia, NY

ZIP code 13118 (Moravia, Cayuga County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 13118 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 1
First frostOct 21
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 Moravia, 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 Moravia, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Aurora Rsch Farm, NY — 13 miles away, elevation 830 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 13118

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 13118 came on Apr 10 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 5b in New York

609 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 75

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 120

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 208

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 185

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Moravia, NY.

Soil in Moravia, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13118 is Langford — channery silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Langford channery silt loam, 2 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 13118; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Moravia, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,527base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 02 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

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 17 °F 31°17° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 33 °F 47°33° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 24 °F 37°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 FebMarch: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Aurora Rsch Farm, NY (13 mi away); precipitation: Auburn 8.3 Sse, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

130925b
Locke, NY · 7 mi
131476a
Scipio Center, NY · 9 mi
130716a
Genoa, NY · 9 mi
130775b
Homer, NY · 10 mi
131526a
Skaneateles, NY · 10 mi
131106a
Marietta, NY · 11 mi
131415b
Preble, NY · 11 mi
131396a
Poplar Ridge, NY · 12 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13118

What planting zone is ZIP code 13118?

ZIP code 13118 (Moravia, 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 Moravia, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13118 is May 1; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aurora Rsch Farm station.

When is the first frost in Moravia, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13118 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13118?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13118 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Auburn 8.3 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Moravia, NY?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13118 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Langford at the center of ZIP 13118: channery silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Moravia, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13118 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Moravia, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13118 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).