When to plant in Oneonta, NY
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Oneonta, New York — all computed from Oneonta's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Oneonta sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
EMMONS · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Oneonta’s own odds, recorded at EMMONS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 10 | May 29 | May 14 | Sep 10 | Sep 22 | Oct 3 |
| 32°F | May 30 | May 17 | Apr 30 | Sep 20 | Oct 3 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F | May 19 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Nov 3 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Oneonta, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Oneonta planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Oneonta, NY?
On average, the last spring frost in Oneonta is around May 17 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Oneonta, NY?
Expect Oneonta's first fall frost near October 3 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Oneonta in?
Oneonta is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Oneonta?
There are roughly 139 frost-free days in Oneonta (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around May 17 to the first fall frost near October 3.
When should I plant tomatoes in Oneonta?
In Oneonta, start tomato seeds indoors around March 22–April 5, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 24 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Oneonta
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Oneonta’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Utica · 73 km
- Binghamton · 80 km
- Johnson City · 82 km
- Oneida · 84 km
- Endwell · 87 km
- Gloversville · 89 km
- Amsterdam · 90 km
- Endicott · 91 km
Frost dates recorded at EMMONS, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Oneonta, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00305113. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/oneonta.