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

Planting zone for 13442 — Rome, NY

ZIP code 13442 (Rome, Oneida 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 13.

Where ZIP 13442 is

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 13
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 Rome, 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 Rome, 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 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Rome Griffiss Airfield, NY — 2 miles away, elevation 518 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 13442

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 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 6) 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 13442 came on Apr 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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 Rome, NY.

Soil in Rome, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13442 is Alton — gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alton-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 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 13442; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rome, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,432base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation43.8 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 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 13 °F 32°13° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 41 °F 59°41° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rome Griffiss Airfield, NY (2 mi away); precipitation: Rome Griffiss Airfield, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

134405b
Rome, NY · <1 mi
134495b
Rome, NY · 2 mi
134415b
Rome, NY · 3 mi
134245b
Oriskany, NY · 6 mi
134905b
Westmoreland, NY · 7 mi
134695b
Stittville, NY · 8 mi
134785b
Verona, NY · 8 mi
134925b
Whitesboro, NY · 9 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Rome → · New York planting zones →

Questions about 13442

What planting zone is ZIP code 13442?

ZIP code 13442 (Rome, 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 Rome, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13442 is May 6; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rome Griffiss Airfield station.

When is the first frost in Rome, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13442 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13442?

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 13442 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rome Griffiss Airfield station).

How hot do summers get in Rome, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13442 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alton at the center of ZIP 13442: gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rome, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13442 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rome, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13442 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13442 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13442 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.