Frost dates for 10280New York, NY
The average last spring frost in New York is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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) | Apr 4 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 4 · Apr 16 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 26 · Apr 5 | Nov 5 · Nov 19 · Dec 5 | 238 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 | Mar 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 10280 is matched to the NOAA station Harrison, NJ, 12.2 km away, at 24 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison, NJ (used) | 24 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 6 |
| New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY | 130 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 20 |
| Newark Intl Ap, NJ | 7 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
| Ny Ave V Brooklyn, NY | 20 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near New York
- New York, NY 10006 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Brooklyn, NY 11201 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Jersey City, NJ 07302 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Hoboken, NJ 07030 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Secaucus, NJ 07096 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Kearny, NJ 07099 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Long Island City, NY 11109 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Weehawken, NJ 07086 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New York, NY?
- For ZIP code 10280, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Harrison, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in New York, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 10280?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.