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

Planting zone for 14479 — Knowlesville, NY

ZIP code 14479 (Knowlesville, Orleans 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 20.

Where ZIP 14479 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 20

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 Knowlesville, 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 Knowlesville, 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 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Albion, NY — 5 miles away, elevation 472 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 14479

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 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 14479 came on Apr 10 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

average
Apr 102026
Apr 10

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 Knowlesville, NY.

Soil in Knowlesville, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14479 is Barre — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter7%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Barre 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 14479; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Knowlesville, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,831base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 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)

Precipitation37.8 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: Albion, NY (5 mi away); precipitation: Medina, NY (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lyndonville, NY · 8 mi

145716b

Waterport, NY · 8 mi

141056b

Middleport, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14479

What planting zone is ZIP code 14479?

ZIP code 14479 (Knowlesville, 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 Knowlesville, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14479 is May 1; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albion station.

When is the first frost in Knowlesville, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14479 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14479?

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 14479 get?

About 37.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medina station).

How hot do summers get in Knowlesville, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14479 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barre at the center of ZIP 14479: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Knowlesville, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14479 came on Apr 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Knowlesville, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14479 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14479 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14479 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.