Frost dates for 10268New 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 10268 is matched to the NOAA station New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY, 0.7 km away, at 130 ft elevation (41 ft higher 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 |
| New York Laguardia Ap, NY | 11 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 25 |
| Teterboro Ap, NJ | 9 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Bronx, NY | 39 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near New York
- New York, NY 10055 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- West New York, NJ 07093 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Weehawken, NJ 07086 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Long Island City, NY 11109 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- North Bergen, NJ 07047 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Astoria, NY 11102 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Fairview, NJ 07022 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Cliffside Park, NJ 07010 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New York, NY?
- For ZIP code 10268, 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 10268?
- 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.