Frost Dates for Buffalo, NY 14209
Buffalo has 29 ZIP codes. The Buffalo, NY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 19 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 14209 has about 8,310 people, one of 29 ZIP codes in Buffalo.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 14 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 2 (28 days).
Frost probability for 14209
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | May 2 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 19 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FREDONIA (63.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Buffalo
In Buffalo (170 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 11. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 7. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 4. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 9. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 16. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 25. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 16. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 23 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 9. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 16. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 2. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in Buffalo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Pumpkin (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 14), Celery (Jun 14), Melons (Jun 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 16), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 1), Sunflowers (Jul 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 18), Pole Beans (Jul 18), Basil (Jul 23), Cosmos (Jul 23), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 2), Parsley (Aug 3), Peas (Aug 8), Cabbage (Aug 17), Carrots (Aug 17), Beets (Aug 18), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 1), Kohlrabi (Sep 1), Turnip (Sep 6), Arugula (Sep 16), Spinach (Sep 16), Radish (Sep 17). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 19). First frost around October 19. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 9). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Buffalo, NY (ZIP 14209)?
The median last spring frost date for Buffalo, NY (ZIP code 14209) is around May 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 20; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Buffalo, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Buffalo, NY is around October 19. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Buffalo is about 170 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Buffalo (170 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Buffalo, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Buffalo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Buffalo?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in Buffalo?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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