Frost dates for 10959New Milford, NY
The average last spring frost in New Milford is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 18 (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 27 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Milford
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 22 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| 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 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 10959 is matched to the NOAA station Sussex Ap, NJ, 17.9 km away, at 421 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex Ap, NJ (used) | 421 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ | 667 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Sussex 8 Nnw, NJ | 1,020 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ | 778 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near New Milford
- Warwick, NY 10990 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Glenwood, NJ 07418 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Highland Lakes, NJ 07422 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Hewitt, NJ 07421 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Bellvale, NY 10912 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Pine Island, NY 10969 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Greenwood Lake, NY 10925 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Sterling Forest, NY 10979 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Milford, NY?
- For ZIP code 10959, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sussex Ap, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in New Milford, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. 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 10959?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.