Oneonta, NY planting zone & frost dates
Oneonta is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 17 and the first fall frost around October 3, for a growing season of about 141 days.
Planting calendar for Oneonta
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 17) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 3).
Useful for zone 5b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 30 | May 17 | May 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 18 | Oct 3 | Sep 20 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Oneonta
- 13820 zone 5b
Nearby cities
- Utica zone 5b, last frost May 1
- Rome zone 5b, last frost May 6
- Fallsburg zone 6a, last frost May 9
- Oneida zone 5b, last frost May 1
- Binghamton zone 6a, last frost May 2
- Gloversville zone 5b, last frost May 11
- Johnson City zone 6a, last frost May 2
- Wawarsing zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
Questions
What growing zone is Oneonta, NY?
Oneonta is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Oneonta?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Oneonta is May 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Oneonta?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 24 – May 31. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Emmons, NY (USC00305113), 4.7 km (2.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 373 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.