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

Planting zone for 14876 — Reading Center, NY

ZIP code 14876 (Reading Center, Schuyler County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 14876 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 10
First frostOct 8
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Reading 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 Reading Center, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Mecklenburg 4sw, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 1,509 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 14876

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 14876 came on Apr 8 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

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 6b in New York

641 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 77

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 130

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 217

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 192

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 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 8

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 creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Reading Center, NY.

Soil in Reading Center, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14876 is Appleton — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Appleton 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 14876; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Reading Center, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,073base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 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)
Precipitation38.9 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 14 °F 30°14° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 15 °F 33°15° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mecklenburg 4sw, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Mecklenburg 4sw, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

148786a
Rock Stream, NY · 2 mi
148916a
Watkins Glen, NY · 4 mi
148876a
Tyrone, NY · 6 mi
148186a
Burdett, NY · 6 mi
148576a
Lakemont, NY · 6 mi
148376a
Dundee, NY · 7 mi
148656a
Montour Falls, NY · 8 mi
148416a
Hector, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14876

What planting zone is ZIP code 14876?

ZIP code 14876 (Reading Center, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Reading Center, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14876 is May 10; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mecklenburg 4sw station.

When is the first frost in Reading Center, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14876 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14876?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14876 get?

About 38.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mecklenburg 4sw station).

How hot do summers get in Reading Center, 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 14876 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appleton at the center of ZIP 14876: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 14876 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Reading Center, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14876 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14876 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14876 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.