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

Planting zone for 13123 — North Bay, NY

ZIP code 13123 (North Bay, Oneida County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 13123 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 12
First frostOct 5
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for North Bay, 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 North Bay, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Camden, NY — 8 miles away, 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 13123

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 13123 came on Apr 8 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

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

Shrubs 120

Wildflowers & perennials 208

Grasses 185

Vines 7

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 North Bay, NY.

Soil in North Bay, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13123 is Chenango — gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chenango gravelly 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 13123; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Bay, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,184base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation47.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 11 °F 31°11° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Camden, NY (8 mi away); precipitation: Durhamville 3.5 Nnw, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13123

What planting zone is ZIP code 13123?

ZIP code 13123 (North Bay, 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 North Bay, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13123 is May 12; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camden station.

When is the first frost in North Bay, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13123 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13123?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13123 get?

About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durhamville 3.5 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in North Bay, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13123 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chenango at the center of ZIP 13123: gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in North Bay, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13123 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Bay, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13123 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13123 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13123 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.