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

Planting zone for 14769 — Portland, NY

ZIP code 14769 (Portland, Chautauqua County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 14769 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 frostApr 25

First frostOct 31

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 Portland, 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 Portland, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Portland1 Sw, NY — within 1 mile, elevation 807 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 14769

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 14769 came on Mar 27 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 27

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 Portland, NY.

Soil in Portland, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14769 is Elnora — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Elnora fine 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 14769; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Portland, NY

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, February

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,924base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.7 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: Portland1 Sw, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Portland1 Sw, NY (within 1 mile). 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.

147166b

Brocton, NY · 2 mi

141667a

Van Buren Point, NY · 5 mi

Dewittville, NY · 8 mi

147186a

Cassadaga, NY · 10 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14769

What planting zone is ZIP code 14769?

ZIP code 14769 (Portland, 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 Portland, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14769 is April 25; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland1 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Portland, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14769 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14769?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14769 get?

About 45.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland1 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Portland, NY?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14769 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elnora at the center of ZIP 14769: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Portland, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14769 came on Mar 27 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Portland, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14769 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).