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

Planting zone for 14905 — Elmira, NY

ZIP code 14905 (Elmira, Chemung County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 14905 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 6

First frostOct 11

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 Elmira, 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 Elmira, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Elmira, NY — within 1 mile, elevation 948 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 14905

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 14905 came on Apr 6 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Apr 6

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 Elmira, NY.

Soil in Elmira, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14905 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 14905; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elmira, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,589base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 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)

Precipitation38.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall42 inper year; 58 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elmira, NY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Elmira, NY (within 1 mile). 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.

Horseheads, NY · 8 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Elmira → · New York planting zones →

Questions about 14905

What planting zone is ZIP code 14905?

ZIP code 14905 (Elmira, 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 Elmira, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14905 is May 6; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elmira station.

When is the first frost in Elmira, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14905 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14905?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14905 get?

About 38.1 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elmira station).

How hot do summers get in Elmira, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14905 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Volusia at the center of ZIP 14905: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elmira, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14905 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elmira, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14905 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14905 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14905 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.