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

Planting zone for 14172 — Wilson, NY

ZIP code 14172 (Wilson, Niagara County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 14172 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 28

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wilson, 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 Wilson, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Youngstown 2 E, NY — 10 miles away, elevation 295 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 14172

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 14172 came on Apr 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 11

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 Wilson, NY.

Soil in Wilson, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14172 is Sun — silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter9%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Sun silt loam.

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 14172; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wilson, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,739base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation32.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Youngstown 2 E, NY (10 mi away); precipitation: Newfane 1w, NY (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

141086b

Newfane, NY · 4 mi

141316b

Ransomville, NY · 5 mi

Youngstown, NY · 9 mi

140946b

Lockport, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14172

What planting zone is ZIP code 14172?

ZIP code 14172 (Wilson, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Wilson, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14172 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Youngstown 2 E station.

When is the first frost in Wilson, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14172 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14172?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14172 get?

About 32.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newfane 1w station).

How hot do summers get in Wilson, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14172 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sun at the center of ZIP 14172: silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Wilson, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14172 came on Apr 11 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wilson, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14172 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).