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

Planting zone for 14461 — Gorham, NY

ZIP code 14461 (Gorham, Ontario County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 14461 is

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 30

First frostOct 21

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 Gorham, 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 Gorham, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Geneva Rsch Farm, NY — 7 miles away, elevation 719 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 14461

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 14461 came on Apr 8 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Apr 8

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 Gorham, NY.

Soil in Gorham, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14461 is Phelps — gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Phelps gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 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 14461; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gorham, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,419base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 20 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)

Precipitation34.4 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: Geneva Rsch Farm, NY (7 mi away); precipitation: Penn Yan 5.1 Nnw, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Seneca Castle, NY · 6 mi

Canandaigua, NY · 10 mi

145276a

Penn Yan, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14461

What planting zone is ZIP code 14461?

ZIP code 14461 (Gorham, 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 Gorham, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14461 is April 30; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Geneva Rsch Farm station.

When is the first frost in Gorham, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14461 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14461?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14461 get?

About 34.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Penn Yan 5.1 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Gorham, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14461 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Phelps at the center of ZIP 14461: gravelly silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Gorham, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14461 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gorham, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14461 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14461 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14461 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.