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

Planting zone for Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY is in USDA zone 6b across its 44 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 26.

Buffalo on the zone map

Outlined: its 29 ZIP code areas · 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
ZIP codes44
Last frostApr 24
First frostOct 26
Growing season183 days

6b 44 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Buffalo, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Buffalo, NY, elevation 692 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 Buffalo

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 14204 came on Apr 10 — 3 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 Buffalo, NY.

Soil in Buffalo, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14204 is Schoharie — silty clay loam, moderately well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Schoharie complex, 0 to 3 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 14204; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buffalo, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,711base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 20 °F 33°20° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 48 °F 67°48° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 58 °F 76°58° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 63 °F 80°63° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 62 °F 79°62° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 44 °F 60°44° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 34 °F 48°34° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 26 °F 37°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Buffalo, NY (8 mi away); precipitation: West Seneca 1.9 W, NY (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Buffalo

142016b
−5 to 0 °F
142026b
−5 to 0 °F
142036b
−5 to 0 °F
142046b
−5 to 0 °F
142056b
−5 to 0 °F
142066b
−5 to 0 °F
142076b
−5 to 0 °F
142086b
−5 to 0 °F
142096b
−5 to 0 °F
142106b
−5 to 0 °F
142116b
−5 to 0 °F
142126b
−5 to 0 °F
142136b
−5 to 0 °F
142146b
−5 to 0 °F
142156b
−5 to 0 °F
142166b
−5 to 0 °F
142176b
−5 to 0 °F
142186b
−5 to 0 °F
142196b
−5 to 0 °F
142206b
−5 to 0 °F
142216b
−5 to 0 °F
142226b
−5 to 0 °F
142236b
−5 to 0 °F
142246b
−5 to 0 °F
142256b
−5 to 0 °F
142266b
−5 to 0 °F
142276b
−5 to 0 °F
142286b
−5 to 0 °F
142316b
−5 to 0 °F
142336b
−5 to 0 °F
142406b
−5 to 0 °F
142416b
−5 to 0 °F
142606b
−5 to 0 °F
142616b
−5 to 0 °F
142636b
−5 to 0 °F
142646b
−5 to 0 °F
142656b
−5 to 0 °F
142676b
−5 to 0 °F
142696b
−5 to 0 °F
142706b
−5 to 0 °F
142726b
−5 to 0 °F
142736b
−5 to 0 °F
142766b
−5 to 0 °F
142806b
−5 to 0 °F

New York planting zones →

Questions about Buffalo

What planting zone is Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Buffalo, NY?

The median last spring frost is April 24 and the median first fall frost is October 26 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buffalo station).

When can I plant a garden in Buffalo, NY?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 13 – Apr 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 1, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Buffalo, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Buffalo, NY get?

About 41.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).