Frost dates for 10941Middletown, NY
The average last spring frost in Middletown is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 17 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Middletown
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 10941 is matched to the NOAA station Montgomery Orange Ap, NY, 7 km away, at 365 ft elevation (150 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Orange Ap, NY (used) | 365 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Middletown 2 Nw, NY | 700 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Walden 1 Ese, NY | 380 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
| Rock Hill 3 Sw, NY | 1,270 ft | May 7 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Middletown
- Circleville, NY 10919 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Bullville, NY 10915 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Montgomery, NY 12549 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Campbell Hall, NY 10916 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Thompson Ridge, NY 10985 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Howells, NY 10932 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Goshen, NY 10924 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Maybrook, NY 12543 · last May 1, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Middletown, NY?
- For ZIP code 10941, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montgomery Orange Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Middletown, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 10941?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.