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

Planting zone for 13155 — South Otselic, NY

ZIP code 13155 (South Otselic, Chenango County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 13155 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 6
First frostOct 9
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 South Otselic, 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 South Otselic, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Morrisville 6 Sw, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 1,680 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 13155

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 13155 came on Apr 12 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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 South Otselic, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13155 is Greene — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Greene silt loam, 8 to 15 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 13155; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Otselic, NY

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,030base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 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)
Precipitation48.1 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 28 °F, low 11 °F 28°11° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 29 °F 44°29° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Morrisville 6 Sw, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: Morrisville 6 Sw, NY (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

131245b
North Pitcher, NY · 3 mi
138325b
Plymouth, NY · 6 mi
131365b
Pitcher, NY · 6 mi
130725b
Georgetown, NY · 6 mi
130525b
De Ruyter, NY · 6 mi
138445b
South Plymouth, NY · 6 mi
137585b
East Pharsalia, NY · 7 mi
134645b
Smyrna, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13155

What planting zone is ZIP code 13155?

ZIP code 13155 (South Otselic, 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 South Otselic, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13155 is May 6; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morrisville 6 Sw station.

When is the first frost in South Otselic, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13155 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13155?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13155 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morrisville 6 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in South Otselic, NY?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13155 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Greene at the center of ZIP 13155: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in South Otselic, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13155 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Otselic, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13155 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13155 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13155 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.