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

Planting zone for 13145 — Sandy Creek, NY

ZIP code 13145 (Sandy Creek, Oswego County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 13145 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 10
First frostOct 14
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 Sandy Creek, 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 Sandy Creek, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Pulaski, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 400 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 13145

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 13145 came on Apr 13 — about the same time as 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).

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 Sandy Creek, NY.

Soil in Sandy Creek, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13145 is Ira — gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ira-Sodus gravelly fine sandy loams, rolling.

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 13145; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sandy Creek, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,039base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation48 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 13 °F 31°13° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 OctNovember: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

136615b
Mannsville, NY · 4 mi
136365b
Ellisburg, NY · 6 mi
131425b
Pulaski, NY · 7 mi
136745a
Pierrepont Manor, NY · 7 mi
130835a
Lacona, NY · 7 mi
136115b
Belleville, NY · 8 mi
131445a
Richland, NY · 9 mi
136055a
Adams, NY · 11 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13145

What planting zone is ZIP code 13145?

ZIP code 13145 (Sandy Creek, 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 Sandy Creek, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13145 is May 10; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pulaski station.

When is the first frost in Sandy Creek, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13145 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13145?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13145 get?

About 48 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pulaski station).

How hot do summers get in Sandy Creek, 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 13145 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ira at the center of ZIP 13145: gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Sandy Creek, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13145 came on Apr 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sandy Creek, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13145 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13145 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13145 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.