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

Planting zone for 14622 — Rochester, NY

ZIP code 14622 (Rochester, Monroe 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 14622 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 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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, 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 season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Webster 2 Ne, NY — 9 miles away, elevation 276 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 14622

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 14622 came on Apr 5 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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.

Trees 77

Shrubs 130

Wildflowers & perennials 217

Grasses 192

Vines 8

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 Rochester, NY.

Soil in Rochester, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14622 is Alton — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alton gravelly sandy 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 14622; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rochester, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,652base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 23 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)
Precipitation39.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall86 inper year; 74 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 42 °F 61°42° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.73 in precipitation, 21.4 in snowfall 2.7❄21 JanFebruary: 2.49 in precipitation, 26.7 in snowfall 2.5❄27 FebMarch: 2.94 in precipitation, 9.7 in snowfall 2.9❄10 MarApril: 3.15 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 3.1❄2 AprMay: 2.99 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.0 MayJune: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.96 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 OctNovember: 3.47 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 3.5❄6 NovDecember: 3.11 in precipitation, 19.3 in snowfall 3.1❄19 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Webster 2 Ne, NY (9 mi away); precipitation: Webster 2 Ne, NY (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

All 37 ZIP codes in Rochester → · New York planting zones →

Questions about 14622

What planting zone is ZIP code 14622?

ZIP code 14622 (Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14622 is May 1; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Webster 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Rochester, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14622 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14622?

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 14622 get?

About 39.3 inches of precipitation a year and 86 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Webster 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Rochester, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14622 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alton at the center of ZIP 14622: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rochester, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14622 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rochester, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14622 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).