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

Planting zone for 13848 — Tunnel, NY

ZIP code 13848 (Tunnel, Broome County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 13848 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 2

First frostOct 11

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 Tunnel, 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 Tunnel, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Binghamton, NY — 13 miles away, elevation 1,608 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 13848

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 13848 came on Apr 9 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Apr 9

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.

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 Tunnel, NY.

Soil in Tunnel, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 13848 is Volusia — channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Volusia 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 13848; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tunnel, NY

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,267base 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)

Precipitation43.9 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: Binghamton, NY (13 mi away); precipitation: Chenango Forks 3.0 Se, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

138336a

Port Crane, NY · 2 mi

137875b

Harpursville, NY · 3 mi

137466a

Chenango Forks, NY · 7 mi

139046a

Binghamton, NY · 7 mi

139016a

Binghamton, NY · 8 mi

137456a

Chenango Bridge, NY · 8 mi

138135b

Nineveh, NY · 9 mi

137446a

Castle Creek, NY · 9 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 13848

What planting zone is ZIP code 13848?

ZIP code 13848 (Tunnel, 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 Tunnel, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 13848 is May 2; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Binghamton station.

When is the first frost in Tunnel, NY?

The median first fall frost near 13848 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 13848?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 13848 get?

About 43.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chenango Forks 3.0 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Tunnel, 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 13848 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Volusia at the center of ZIP 13848: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tunnel, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 13848 came on Apr 9 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tunnel, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 13848 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).