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

Planting zone for 13606 — Adams Center, NY

ZIP code 13606 (Adams Center, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 13606 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 11

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Adams Center, 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 Adams Center, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Watertown Intl Airport, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 318 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 13606

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 13606 came on Apr 13 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

average
Apr 182026
Apr 13

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 Adams Center, NY.

Soil in Adams Center, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13606 is Udorthents — channery loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents,smoothed.

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 13606; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Adams Center, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,207base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation37.1 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: Watertown Intl Airport, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Watertown Intl Airport, NY (9 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.

136055a

Adams, NY · 5 mi

136855b

Sackets Harbor, NY · 5 mi

136824b

Rodman, NY · 6 mi

136515b

Henderson Harbor, NY · 8 mi

136015a

Watertown, NY · 9 mi

136115b

Belleville, NY · 9 mi

136745a

Pierrepont Manor, NY · 9 mi

136155a

Brownville, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13606

What planting zone is ZIP code 13606?

ZIP code 13606 (Adams Center, 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 Adams Center, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13606 is May 11; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Adams Center, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13606 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13606?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13606 get?

About 37.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Adams Center, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13606 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 13606: channery loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Adams Center, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13606 came on Apr 13 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Adams Center, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13606 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13606 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13606 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.