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

Planting zone for 13665 — Natural Bridge, NY

ZIP code 13665 (Natural Bridge, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 13665 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 8
First frostOct 1
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Natural Bridge, 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 Natural Bridge, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Lowville, NY — 18 miles away, elevation 863 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 13665

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
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 8) 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 13665 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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 4b in New York

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 60

Shrubs 99

Wildflowers & perennials 183

Grasses 166

Vines 5

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 Natural Bridge, NY.

Soil in Natural Bridge, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13665 is Medisaprists — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter84.5%high
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peat and Muck, deep.

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 13665; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Natural Bridge, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,047base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.1 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 27 °F, low 8 °F 27°8° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 9 °F 29°9° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 2.66 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lowville, NY (18 mi away); precipitation: Beaver Falls, NY (11 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.

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13665

What planting zone is ZIP code 13665?

ZIP code 13665 (Natural Bridge, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Natural Bridge, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13665 is May 8; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lowville station.

When is the first frost in Natural Bridge, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13665 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13665?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13665 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Natural Bridge, NY?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13665 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Medisaprists at the center of ZIP 13665: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Natural Bridge, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13665 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Natural Bridge, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13665 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13665 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13665 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.