Frost dates for 14225Buffalo, NY
The average last spring frost in Buffalo is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Buffalo
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14225 is matched to the NOAA station Buffalo, NY, 2.7 km away, at 693 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY (used) | 693 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 26 |
| N Tonawanda, NY | 578 ft | May 6 | Oct 15 |
| Wales, NY | 1,135 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Niagara Falls, NY | 588 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Buffalo
- Buffalo, NY 14241 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Depew, NY 14043 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Bowmansville, NY 14026 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Lancaster, NY 14086 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Getzville, NY 14068 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Tonawanda, NY 14150 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Clarence, NY 14031 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- East Amherst, NY 14051 · last May 6, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buffalo, NY?
- For ZIP code 14225, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buffalo, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Buffalo, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14225?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.