When to plant in Lancaster, NY
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lancaster, New York — all computed from Lancaster's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Lancaster sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
BUFFALO · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Lancaster’s own odds, recorded at BUFFALO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 4 | Apr 22 | Sep 30 | Oct 13 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 9 | Apr 24 | Apr 11 | Oct 10 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 | Nov 22 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Lancaster, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Lancaster planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lancaster, NY?
Lancaster's average last spring frost falls near April 24 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Lancaster, NY?
In Lancaster, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 26 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Lancaster in?
Lancaster is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster?
There are roughly 185 frost-free days in Lancaster (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 24 to the first fall frost near October 26.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lancaster?
In Lancaster, start tomato seeds indoors around February 27–March 13, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lancaster
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lancaster’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Depew · 3 km
- Cheektowaga · 7 km
- West Seneca · 10 km
- Eggertsville · 13 km
- Buffalo · 16 km
- Lackawanna · 16 km
- Kenmore · 18 km
- Tonawanda Town · 19 km
Frost dates recorded at BUFFALO, 8 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Lancaster, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014733. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/lancaster.