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

Planting zone for 14304 — Niagara Falls, NY

ZIP code 14304 (Niagara Falls, Niagara County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 14304 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Niagara Falls Intl Airport, NY — within 1 mile, elevation 584 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 14304

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 14304 came on Apr 10 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Niagara Falls, NY.

Soil in Niagara Falls, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14304 is Lakemont — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter8%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lakemont silty clay loam, 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 14304; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Niagara Falls, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights132nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,530base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33 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 17 °F 32°17° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 42 °F 60°42° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 32 °F 47°32° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 24 °F 37°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.12 in precipitation 2.1 MarApril: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Niagara Falls Intl Airport, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Niagara Falls Intl Airport, NY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

143056b
Niagara Falls, NY · 4 mi
143016b
Niagara Falls, NY · 5 mi
141326b
Sanborn, NY · 5 mi
143036b
Niagara Falls, NY · 5 mi
141096b
Niagara University, NY · 5 mi
143026b
Niagara Falls, NY · 5 mi
140926b
Lewiston, NY · 5 mi
141206b
North Tonawanda, NY · 6 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Niagara Falls → · New York planting zones →

Questions about 14304

What planting zone is ZIP code 14304?

ZIP code 14304 (Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14304 is May 1; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Niagara Falls Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Niagara Falls, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14304 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14304?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14304 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Niagara Falls Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Niagara Falls, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14304 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakemont at the center of ZIP 14304: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Niagara Falls, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14304 came on Apr 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Niagara Falls, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14304 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14304 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14304 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.