The state of New York falls into eight different hardiness or planting zones, from 4a (the coldest zone in the state) to 7b (the warmest part of the state).
Hardiness zones represent the average extreme minimum temperature for each region, which is key information to have when choosing the right plants for your garden. In this article, we’ll explain the distribution of each zone in New York State to help you select the right plants for your landscape.
What planting zone is New York?
New York State comprises eight USDA hardiness zones: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.
New York State hardiness zones
See the New York USDA hardiness zone map above.
If you’re searching for the hardiness zones for your region in New York State, you can find them in our other articles:
Zone 4a (-30 F to -25 F)
Zone 4a is the coldest part of the state, encompassing the central part of the Adirondacks region. It starts in the southern part of Saint Lawrence and Franklin counties and extends down to the northern part of Herkimer and Hamilton counties.
It also extends east up to the central part of Essex County, encompassing Lake Placid, and then west to reach a small portion of Lewis County. Some small areas in Clinton and Warren counties are also in zone 4a.
Zone 4b (-25 F to -20 F)
The second coldest region of New York State, hardiness zone 4b encompasses a big portion of the Adirondacks region. Zone 4b circles around the 4a region, covering most of northern Saint Lawrence and Franklin counties. It extends south, reaching most of Lewis County, the eastern border of Jefferson County, and the northeastern corner of Oneida County.
Zone 4b also extends east, from the middle portion of Herkimer County to most of southern Hamilton County and a small portion of Fulton, until it reaches the northwestern corner of Warren. From there, it reaches north, including a big portion of Essex and small parts of Clinton.
Zone 5a (-20 F to -15 F)
The 5a zone occupies the upper half of the eastern border of New York State, running along the Poultney River from Clinton to the upper half of Washington County. From there, it extends west to Warren and upper Saratoga, until it reaches Oswego County. It then extends north to most of Jefferson County to the northern border of Saint Lawrence and Franklin counties.
Some small, isolated areas in other parts of the state are also in Zone 5a, in the counties of Otsego, Schoharie, Albany, Greene, Ulster, Delaware, and Cattaraugus.
Zone 5b (-15 F to -10 F)
Zone 5b occupies a big portion of central New York State. Starting at the state’s eastern border, it encompasses the southern portion of Washington County to the northeastern portion of Columbia County. It extends west, reaching central New York and part of the Finger Lakes region.
At its western border, region 5b starts in southern Chautauqua County and extends east until the outer banks of the Hudson River, covering most of Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Steuben. It also occupies areas in the south of Erie and Wyoming.
Zone 6a (-10 F to -5 F)
Besides occupying many isolated areas throughout the state, zone 6a concentrates on the upper part of the Greater Niagara and Finger Lakes region and a portion of the Hudson Valley and the city of Albany.
At its western extreme, zone 6a starts in Chautauqua and extends to west Oswego (and a tiny portion at the coast of Jefferson County). From Oswego, it reaches down to Onondaga County (including Syracuse) until Tioga and Broome counties.
At its eastern extreme, zone 6a starts at the southernmost corner of Washington and Saratoga counties, extending down along the Hudson River and reaching the counties of Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan.
Zone 6b (-5 F to 0 F)
Zone 6b occupies the northwest corner of New York State and a southern portion of the Hudson Valley. At its western distribution, it covers the northern border of Chautauqua and extends north from western Erie to most of Niagara and then east until it reaches a small motion of Oswego’s coast. From Wayne County, it extends down until it reaches part of Schuyler and Tompkins.
It also covers a small area in Livingston County. At its southern distribution, zone 6b starts at central Ulster and extends down until the upper parts of Rockland and Westchester.
Zone 7a (0 F to 5 F)
This zone is concentrated in southern New York State, occupying most of Rockland and Westchester counties and part of Suffolk County.
Zone 7b (5 F to 10 F)
The warmest part of the state, zone 7b is concentrated in the New York City and Long Island regions. It starts in the southern part of Westchester County and occupies all of New York City and Long Island, except for a portion of Suffolk County (which is in zone 7a).
FAQ about New York planting zones
How can I use the hardiness zone map?
The hardiness zone map can be used as a guide to help you choose plants that are adapted to the local climate and can survive the winter in your area. Besides this, your hardiness zone can give you a general idea of your climate and, therefore, can help you pick the best grass seeds for your New York lawn.
Pro Tip: For more detailed information on how to use the map, visit our guide: “How to Use the Plant Hardiness Zone Map in Your Yard.”
How do I find my city’s hardiness zone?
You can find your city’s hardiness zone by visiting the USDA interactive map and typing your ZIP code in the search box.
In which planting zone is New York City?
New York City is in the warmest part of the state, in hardiness zone 7b.
When to call a pro
While understanding your hardiness zone is crucial to picking the right plants and grass for your garden, it won’t do all the hard work for you. Luckily, there is someone who will: You just have to call a local lawn care pro. Get in touch today.
Main Image Credit: Person-Kloepfer House, Buffalo, New York | Andre Carrotflower | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
