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

Planting zone for 13438 — Remsen, NY

ZIP code 13438 (Remsen, Oneida County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 13438 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 4

First frostOct 13

2012 zone4a

Was 4a on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Remsen, 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 Remsen, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Trenton Falls, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 801 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 13438

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 13438 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
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 5a in New York

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Remsen, NY.

Soil in Remsen, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13438 is Adams — highly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter100%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Adams loamy sand, 25 to 45 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 13438; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Remsen, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,233base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 24 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)

Precipitation51.4 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: Trenton Falls, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Trenton Falls, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Alder Creek, NY · 6 mi

133045a

Barneveld, NY · 8 mi

133545a

Holland Patent, NY · 9 mi

134865a

Westernville, NY · 9 mi

134315a

Poland, NY · 11 mi

134695b

Stittville, NY · 12 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13438

What planting zone is ZIP code 13438?

ZIP code 13438 (Remsen, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Remsen, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13438 is May 4; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trenton Falls station.

When is the first frost in Remsen, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13438 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13438?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13438 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trenton Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Remsen, 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 13438 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Adams at the center of ZIP 13438: highly decomposed plant material, excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Remsen, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13438 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Remsen, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13438 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13438 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13438 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.