Frost dates for 11109Long Island City, NY
The average last spring frost in Long Island City is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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 23 · Apr 3 · Apr 15 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Nov 30 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 26 · Apr 6 | Nov 10 · Nov 25 · Dec 10 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 15 · Mar 30 | Nov 19 · Dec 5 · Dec 24 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Long Island City
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 11109 is matched to the NOAA station New York Laguardia Ap, NY, 7.5 km away, at 11 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Laguardia Ap, NY (used) | 11 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 25 |
| New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY | 130 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 20 |
| Bronx, NY | 39 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 16 |
| Teterboro Ap, NJ | 9 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Long Island City
- Long Island City, NY 11120 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- New York, NY 10017 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Brooklyn, NY 11222 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Astoria, NY 11106 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Sunnyside, NY 11104 · last Mar 30, first Nov 20
- Woodside, NY 11377 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Maspeth, NY 11378 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- East Elmhurst, NY 11370 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Long Island City, NY?
- For ZIP code 11109, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New York Laguardia Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Long Island City, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 11109?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.