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

Planting zone for 14872 — Pine Valley, NY

ZIP code 14872 (Pine Valley, Chemung County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 14872 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 9

First frostOct 9

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY — 6 miles away, elevation 955 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 14872

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 14872 came on Apr 8 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
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 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 Pine Valley, NY.

Soil in Pine Valley, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14872 is Volusia — channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Volusia channery silt loam, 2 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 14872; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pine Valley, NY

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,475base 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)

Precipitation32.4 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: Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY (6 mi away); precipitation: Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

148456a

Horseheads, NY · 3 mi

Beaver Dams, NY · 8 mi

148656a

Montour Falls, NY · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14872

What planting zone is ZIP code 14872?

ZIP code 14872 (Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14872 is May 9; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elmira Corning Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Pine Valley, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14872 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14872?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14872 get?

About 32.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elmira Corning Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Pine Valley, NY?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14872 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Volusia at the center of ZIP 14872: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pine Valley, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14872 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pine Valley, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14872 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14872 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14872 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.