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

Planting zone for 13839 — Sidney Center, NY

ZIP code 13839 (Sidney Center, Delaware 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 9.

Where ZIP 13839 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 9
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Sidney 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 Sidney 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 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station E Sidney, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 1,155 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 13839

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 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 13839 came on Apr 12 — 7 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).

Soil in Sidney Center, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13839 is Willowemoc — channery silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Willowemoc channery silt loam, 3 to 8 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 13839; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sidney Center, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,242base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45.3 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 32 °F, low 11 °F 32°11° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 12 °F 34°12° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 19 °F 43°19° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

138475b
Trout Creek, NY · 3 mi
138565a
Walton, NY · 6 mi
138045b
Masonville, NY · 6 mi
138495b
Unadilla, NY · 8 mi
138385b
Sidney, NY · 8 mi
137755b
Franklin, NY · 9 mi
138595b
Wells Bridge, NY · 9 mi
137335b
Bainbridge, NY · 12 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13839

What planting zone is ZIP code 13839?

ZIP code 13839 (Sidney 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 Sidney Center, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13839 is May 11; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Sidney station.

When is the first frost in Sidney Center, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13839 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13839?

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 13839 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Sidney station).

How hot do summers get in Sidney Center, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 13839 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Willowemoc at the center of ZIP 13839: channery silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 13839 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sidney Center, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13839 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 13839 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 13839 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.