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

Planting zone for 14802 — Alfred, NY

ZIP code 14802 (Alfred, Allegany County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 14802 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 18
First frostOct 1
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alfred, 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 Alfred, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Alfred, NY — 2 miles away, elevation 1,923 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 14802

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 14802 came on Apr 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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 Alfred, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14802 is Chenango — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chenango channery silt loam, fan, 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 14802; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alfred, NY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,033base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall82 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 12 °F 32°12° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 13 °F 35°13° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 20 °F 43°20° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.37 in precipitation, 18.6 in snowfall 2.4❄19 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation, 18.1 in snowfall 1.7❄18 FebMarch: 2.49 in precipitation, 16.9 in snowfall 2.5❄17 MarApril: 3.16 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 3.2❄4 AprMay: 3.35 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 MayJune: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.68 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.7 OctNovember: 2.82 in precipitation, 6.5 in snowfall 2.8❄7 NovDecember: 2.89 in precipitation, 18 in snowfall 2.9❄18 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

148036a
Alfred Station, NY · 1 mi
148045b
Almond, NY · 5 mi
148066a
Andover, NY · 7 mi
148435b
Hornell, NY · 10 mi
148135b
Belmont, NY · 10 mi
148805b
Scio, NY · 11 mi
148396a
Greenwood, NY · 11 mi
148075b
Arkport, NY · 12 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14802

What planting zone is ZIP code 14802?

ZIP code 14802 (Alfred, 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 Alfred, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14802 is May 18; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alfred station.

When is the first frost in Alfred, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14802 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14802?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14802 get?

About 37.7 inches of precipitation a year and 82 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alfred station).

How hot do summers get in Alfred, NY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14802 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chenango at the center of ZIP 14802: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Alfred, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14802 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alfred, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14802 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).