Buffalo, NY planting zone & frost dates
Buffalo is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 26, for a growing season of about 183 days.
Planting calendar for Buffalo
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 26).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 11 | Apr 24 | May 9 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 9 | Oct 26 | Oct 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 9, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 13.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Buffalo
- 14201 zone 6b
- 14202 zone 6b
- 14203 zone 6b
- 14204 zone 6b
- 14205 zone 6b
- 14206 zone 6b
- 14207 zone 6b
- 14208 zone 6b
- 14209 zone 6b
- 14210 zone 6b
- 14211 zone 6b
- 14212 zone 6b
- 14213 zone 6b
- 14214 zone 6b
- 14215 zone 6b
- 14216 zone 6b
- 14217 zone 6b
- 14218 zone 6b
- 14219 zone 6b
- 14220 zone 6b
- 14221 zone 6b
- 14222 zone 6b
- 14223 zone 6b
- 14224 zone 6b
- 14225 zone 6b
- 14226 zone 6b
- 14227 zone 6b
- 14228 zone 6b
- 14231 zone 6b
- 14233 zone 6b
- 14240 zone 6b
- 14241 zone 6b
- 14260 zone 6b
- 14261 zone 6b
- 14263 zone 6b
- 14264 zone 6b
- 14265 zone 6b
- 14267 zone 6b
- 14269 zone 6b
- 14270 zone 6b
- 14272 zone 6b
- 14273 zone 6b
- 14276 zone 6b
- 14280 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Kenmore zone 6b, last frost May 6
- Lackawanna zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- West Seneca zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Eggertsville zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Amherst zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Cheektowaga zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Tonawanda zone 6b, last frost May 6
- North Tonawanda zone 6b, last frost May 6
Questions
What growing zone is Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Buffalo?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Buffalo is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 9.
When can I plant tomatoes in Buffalo?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Buffalo, NY (USW00014733), 13.4 km (8.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 211 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.