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

Planting zone for 13357 — Ilion, NY

ZIP code 13357 (Ilion, Herkimer County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 13357 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 5

First frostOct 4

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 Ilion, 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 Ilion, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Little Falls City Rsch, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 892 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 13357

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 13357 came on Apr 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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).

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.

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 Ilion, NY.

Soil in Ilion, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13357 is Honeoye — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Honeoye silt loam, 15 to 25 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 13357; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ilion, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,275base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Little Falls City Rsch, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: New Hartford 0.8 S, NY (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

West Winfield, NY · 9 mi

134395b

Richfield Springs, NY · 9 mi

134565a

Sauquoit, NY · 9 mi

133185a

Cassville, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13357

What planting zone is ZIP code 13357?

ZIP code 13357 (Ilion, 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 Ilion, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13357 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Falls City Rsch station.

When is the first frost in Ilion, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13357 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13357?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13357 get?

About 48 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Hartford 0.8 S station).

How hot do summers get in Ilion, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13357 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Honeoye at the center of ZIP 13357: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ilion, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13357 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ilion, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13357 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13357 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13357 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.