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

Planting zone for 13835 — Richford, NY

ZIP code 13835 (Richford, Tioga County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 13835 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 13
First frostOct 4
2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Richford, 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 Richford, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Ithaca 13 E, NY — 5 miles away, elevation 1,227 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 13835

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 13835 came on Apr 12 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 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 Richford, NY.

Soil in Richford, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13835 is Lordstown — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lordstown flaggy silt loam, 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 13835; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richford, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,023base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45 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 33 °F, low 14 °F 33°14° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ithaca 13 E, NY (5 mi away); precipitation: Berkshire 1.9 Ene, NY (5 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.

137845b
Harford, NY · 4 mi
137365b
Berkshire, NY · 4 mi
137976a
Lisle, NY · 8 mi
130535b
Dryden, NY · 8 mi
137945b
Killawog, NY · 8 mi
148175b
Brooktondale, NY · 8 mi
138035b
Marathon, NY · 8 mi
148815b
Slaterville Springs, NY · 9 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13835

What planting zone is ZIP code 13835?

ZIP code 13835 (Richford, 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 Richford, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13835 is May 13; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ithaca 13 E station.

When is the first frost in Richford, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13835 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13835?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13835 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Berkshire 1.9 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Richford, 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 13835 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lordstown at the center of ZIP 13835: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richford, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13835 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richford, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13835 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).