When to plant in Olean, NY
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Olean, New York — all computed from Olean's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5b, Olean gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
OLEAN · 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 Olean’s own odds, recorded at OLEAN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 1 | May 20 | May 5 | Sep 18 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 22 | May 7 | Apr 23 | Sep 29 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 26 | Apr 14 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 6 |
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 Olean, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Olean planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Olean, NY?
On average, the last spring frost in Olean is around May 7 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Olean, NY?
The first fall frost in Olean typically arrives around October 11 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Olean in?
Olean is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Olean?
Olean has about 157 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (October 11).
When should I plant tomatoes in Olean?
For Olean, sow tomatoes indoors about March 12–March 26 and move the seedlings out around May 14, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Olean
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Olean’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Jamestown · 66 km
- St. Marys · 70 km
- Dunkirk · 86 km
- West Seneca · 88 km
- Lackawanna · 88 km
- Lancaster · 93 km
- Depew · 95 km
- Cheektowaga · 95 km
Frost dates recorded at OLEAN, 2 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 Olean, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00306196. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/olean.