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

Planting zone for 13671 — Oxbow, NY

ZIP code 13671 (Oxbow, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 13671 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 14
First frostSep 26
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 Oxbow, 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 Oxbow, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season134 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Gouverneur 3 Nw, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 420 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 13671

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 13671 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 Oxbow, NY.

Soil in Oxbow, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13671 is Minoa — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Minoa fine sandy loam.

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 13671; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oxbow, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,073base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation39.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall92 inper year; 101 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 5 °F 27°5° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 6 °F 29°6° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 17 °F 39°17° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 15 °F 33°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.76 in precipitation, 23.7 in snowfall 2.8❄24 JanFebruary: 2.12 in precipitation, 23 in snowfall 2.1❄23 FebMarch: 2.29 in precipitation, 15.1 in snowfall 2.3❄15 MarApril: 3.15 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 3.1❄4 AprMay: 3.26 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 MayJune: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.66 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.7❄1 OctNovember: 3.57 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 3.6❄7 NovDecember: 2.95 in precipitation, 18.3 in snowfall 3.0❄18 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gouverneur 3 Nw, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Gouverneur 3 Nw, NY (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 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 13671

What planting zone is ZIP code 13671?

ZIP code 13671 (Oxbow, 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 Oxbow, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13671 is May 14; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gouverneur 3 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Oxbow, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13671 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13671?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13671 get?

About 39.6 inches of precipitation a year and 92 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gouverneur 3 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Oxbow, 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 13671 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Minoa at the center of ZIP 13671: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Oxbow, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13671 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oxbow, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13671 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13671 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13671 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.