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New York frost dates
Across the 33New York weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from Mar 26 in New York Laguardia to Jun 2 in Saranac. The statewide middle is about May 1 for the last spring frost and Oct 15 for the first fall frost. New York Laguardia has the longest growing season, about 244 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Laguardia | 7b | Mar 26 | Apr 6 | Nov 25 | 244 |
| New York Cntrl Pk Twr | 7b | Mar 30 | Apr 9 | Nov 20 | 235 |
| New York Jfk | 7b | Apr 2 | Apr 13 | Nov 14 | 226 |
| Farmingdale | 7b | Apr 6 | Apr 20 | Nov 6 | 214 |
| Montauk | 7b | Apr 7 | Apr 20 | Nov 15 | 222 |
| Islip Li Macarthur | 7b | Apr 10 | Apr 25 | Nov 2 | 206 |
| Westchester | 7a | Apr 12 | Apr 27 | Oct 31 | 202 |
| Shirley Brookhaven | 7a | Apr 18 | May 1 | Oct 28 | 193 |
| Buffalo | 6b | Apr 24 | May 9 | Oct 26 | 185 |
| Rochester Gtr | 6b | Apr 24 | May 8 | Oct 25 | 184 |
| Albany | 6a | Apr 27 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 171 |
| Syracuse Hancock | 6a | Apr 29 | May 13 | Oct 19 | 173 |
| Penn Yan | 6a | Apr 30 | May 14 | Oct 22 | 175 |
| Poughkeepsie Dutchess | 6b | Apr 30 | May 14 | Oct 14 | 167 |
| Dansville | 6a | May 1 | May 18 | Oct 19 | 171 |
| Montgomery Orange | 6b | May 1 | May 17 | Oct 11 | 163 |
| Niagara Falls | 6b | May 1 | May 15 | Oct 19 | 171 |
| Utica Oneida | 5b | May 1 | May 17 | Oct 13 | 165 |
| Binghamton | 6a | May 2 | May 18 | Oct 11 | 162 |
| Fulton Oswego | 6a | May 2 | May 16 | Oct 16 | 167 |
| Millbrook 3 W | 6a | May 4 | May 21 | Oct 7 | 156 |
| Wellsville | 5b | May 4 | May 21 | Oct 14 | 163 |
| Dunkirk Chautauqua | 6b | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 20 | 168 |
| Plattsburgh | 5a | May 6 | May 19 | Oct 5 | 152 |
| Rome Griffiss Airfield | 5b | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 13 | 160 |
| Westhamptn Gabreski | 7a | May 7 | May 23 | Oct 14 | 160 |
| Massena | 4b | May 8 | May 23 | Oct 1 | 146 |
| Canton 4 Se | 4b | May 9 | May 25 | Sep 30 | 144 |
| Elmira Corning | 6a | May 9 | May 24 | Oct 9 | 153 |
| Glens Falls | 5a | May 9 | May 25 | Sep 30 | 144 |
| Watertown | 5a | May 11 | May 26 | Oct 1 | 143 |
| Ithaca 13 E | 5b | May 13 | May 29 | Oct 4 | 144 |
| Saranac | 4a | Jun 2 | Jun 19 | Sep 9 | 99 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in New York
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 15). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in New York |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | May 8 – May 22 |
| Peas | Mar 20 – Apr 10; fall: Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 24 |
| Green beans | May 8 – May 22; fall: Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Tulips | Oct 1 – Nov 12 |