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

Planting zone for Tonawanda, NY

Tonawanda, NY is in USDA zone 6b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 15.

Tonawanda on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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 codes2

Last frostMay 6

First frostOct 15

Growing season160 days

6b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tonawanda, 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 Tonawanda, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station N Tonawanda, NY, elevation 577 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 Tonawanda

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 14151 came on Apr 9 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Apr 9

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.

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 Tonawanda, NY.

Soil in Tonawanda, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14151 is Udorthents, moderately well drained.

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents, smoothed.

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 14151; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tonawanda, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,582base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall80 inper year; 73 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: N Tonawanda, NY (2 mi away); precipitation: N Tonawanda, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Tonawanda

New York planting zones →

Questions about Tonawanda

What planting zone is Tonawanda, NY?

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

When is the last frost in Tonawanda, NY?

The median last spring frost is May 6 and the median first fall frost is October 15 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Tonawanda station).

When can I plant a garden in Tonawanda, NY?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 25 – Apr 15; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 13, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Tonawanda, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Tonawanda, NY get?

About 40.1 inches of precipitation a year and 80 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).