Frost dates for 10032New York, NY
The average last spring frost in New York is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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) | Mar 26 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 9 | Nov 6 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 19 · Apr 2 | Nov 15 · Dec 1 · Dec 16 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New York
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 | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 10032 is matched to the NOAA station New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY, 7 km away, at 130 ft elevation (34 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY (used) | 130 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 20 |
| Bronx, NY | 39 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 16 |
| New York Laguardia Ap, NY | 11 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 25 |
| Teterboro Ap, NJ | 9 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near New York
- New York, NY 10039 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Bronx, NY 10452 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Edgewater, NJ 07020 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Fort Lee, NJ 07024 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Cliffside Park, NJ 07010 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Palisades Park, NJ 07650 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Leonia, NJ 07605 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New York, NY?
- For ZIP code 10032, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in New York, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 10032?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.