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

Planting zone for 14879 — Savona, NY

ZIP code 14879 (Savona, Steuben County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 14879 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 12
First frostOct 3
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 Savona, 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 Savona, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Bath, NY — 8 miles away, elevation 1,119 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 14879

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 14879 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).

Native plants for zone 5b in New York

609 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 75

Shrubs 120

Wildflowers & perennials 208

Grasses 185

Vines 7

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 Savona, NY.

Soil in Savona, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14879 is Mardin — channery silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mardin 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 14879; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Savona, NY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,363base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 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)
Precipitation37.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 13 °F 34°13° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 13 °F 36°13° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 20 °F 45°20° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 31 °F 58°31° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 42 °F 71°42° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 51 °F 79°51° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 54 °F 82°54° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 47 °F 75°47° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 NovDecember: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bath, NY (8 mi away); precipitation: Savona 4.7 S, NY (6 mi away). 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.

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14879

What planting zone is ZIP code 14879?

ZIP code 14879 (Savona, 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 Savona, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14879 is May 12; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bath station.

When is the first frost in Savona, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14879 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14879?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14879 get?

About 37.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Savona 4.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Savona, NY?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14879 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mardin at the center of ZIP 14879: channery silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Savona, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14879 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 Savona, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14879 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).