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

Planting zone for 14712 — Bemus Point, NY

ZIP code 14712 (Bemus Point, Chautauqua County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 14712 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostOct 13

2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bemus Point, 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 Bemus Point, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Jamestown 4 Ene, NY — 12 miles away, elevation 1,250 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 14712

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 14712 came on Apr 5 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Apr 5

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 6a in New York

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Bemus Point, NY.

Soil in Bemus Point, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14712 is Busti — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Busti 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 14712; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bemus Point, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,365base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.7 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: Jamestown 4 Ene, NY (12 mi away); precipitation: Sinclairville, NY (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

147856a

Stow, NY · 3 mi

147566a

Maple Springs, NY · 3 mi

147426a

Greenhurst, NY · 5 mi

147226a

Chautauqua, NY · 6 mi

147286a

Dewittville, NY · 7 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14712

What planting zone is ZIP code 14712?

ZIP code 14712 (Bemus Point, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Bemus Point, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14712 is May 8; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jamestown 4 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Bemus Point, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14712 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14712?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14712 get?

About 48.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sinclairville station).

How hot do summers get in Bemus Point, NY?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14712 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Busti at the center of ZIP 14712: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bemus Point, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14712 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bemus Point, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14712 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14712 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14712 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.