Frost dates for 14217 — Buffalo, NY
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Buffalo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buffalo falls between April 24 and May 19, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Buffalo, NY
Frost dates for 14217 — Buffalo, NY — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 15, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buffalo, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the N Tonawanda, NY weather station, 10 km away (elevation 577 ft (176 m)).
ZIP codes in Buffalo: 14201 14202 14203 14204 14205 14206 14207 14208 14209 14210 14211 14212 14213 14214 14215 14216 14217 14218 14219 14220 14221 14222 14223 14224 14225 14226 14227 14228 14231 14233 14240 14241 14260 14261 14263 14264 14265 14267 14269 14270 14272 14273 14276 14280
Frost dates near Buffalo
- Tonawanda May 6 · Oct 15
- Grand Island Apr 26 · Oct 25
- North Tonawanda May 6 · Oct 15
- Getzville Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Bowmansville Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Depew Apr 24 · Oct 26
- East Amherst Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Niagara Falls Apr 26 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buffalo, NY?
The median last spring frost in Buffalo, NY is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buffalo, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo, NY?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.