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

Planting zone for 16923 — Genesee, PA

ZIP code 16923 (Genesee, Potter County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 16923 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 20

First frostSep 29

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 Genesee, PA…

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 Genesee, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Oswayo 1 Ene, PA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,709 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 16923

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 16923 came on Apr 6 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Apr 6

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 Pennsylvania

572 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, 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 Genesee, PA.

Soil in Genesee, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 16923 is Mongaup — 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: Mongaup channery loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 16923; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Genesee, PA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,860base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation43.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall60 inper year; 82 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Oswayo 1 Ene, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Oswayo 1 Ene, PA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

148975b

Whitesville, NY · 6 mi

Wellsville, NY · 10 mi

169275b

Harrison Valley, PA · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Genesee → · Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about 16923

What planting zone is ZIP code 16923?

ZIP code 16923 (Genesee, PA) 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 Genesee, PA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 16923 is May 20; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oswayo 1 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Genesee, PA?

The median first fall frost near 16923 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 16923?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 16923 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year and 60 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oswayo 1 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Genesee, PA?

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 16923 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mongaup at the center of ZIP 16923: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Genesee, PA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 16923 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Genesee, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 16923 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).