Frost dates for 14270 — Buffalo, NY
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Buffalo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buffalo falls between April 21 and May 19, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 14270 — Buffalo, NY — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 17, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
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 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Colden 1w, NY weather station, 20 km away (elevation 1,535 ft (468 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
- Athol Springs May 4 · Oct 17
- Hamburg May 4 · Oct 17
- Lake View May 4 · Oct 17
- North Evans May 4 · Oct 17
- Orchard Park May 7 · Oct 11
- Derby May 4 · Oct 17
- North Boston May 4 · Oct 17
- Eden May 4 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buffalo, NY?
The median last spring frost in Buffalo, NY is May 4. 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 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo, NY?
About 166 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.