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

Planting zone for 14708 — Alma, NY

ZIP code 14708 (Alma, Allegany County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 14708 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 20

First frostSep 29

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alma, 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 Alma, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Oswayo 1 Ene, PA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,709 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 14708

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 14708 came on Apr 6 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Apr 6

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).

Soil in Alma, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14708 is Vly — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Vly channery silt loam, 8 to 15 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 14708; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alma, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,860base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall60 inper year; 82 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Oswayo 1 Ene, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Oswayo 1 Ene, PA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

Shinglehouse, PA · 7 mi

147545b

Little Genesee, NY · 7 mi

148955b

Wellsville, NY · 8 mi

147215b

Ceres, NY · 10 mi

147865b

West Clarksville, NY · 11 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14708

What planting zone is ZIP code 14708?

ZIP code 14708 (Alma, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Alma, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14708 is May 20; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oswayo 1 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Alma, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14708 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14708?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14708 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year and 60 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oswayo 1 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Alma, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14708 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vly at the center of ZIP 14708: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Alma, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14708 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alma, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14708 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14708 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14708 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.