Frost dates for 11948Laurel, NY
The average last spring frost in Laurel is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 7 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 6 · Apr 19 | Oct 28 · Nov 9 · Nov 22 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 28 · Apr 7 | Nov 7 · Nov 21 · Dec 5 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Laurel
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 11948 is matched to the NOAA station Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY, 13.6 km away, at 100 ft elevation (67 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY (used) | 100 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 9 |
| Mattituck, NY | 20 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 1 |
| Westhamptn Gabreski Ap, NY | 67 ft | May 7 | Oct 14 |
| Baiting Hollow, NY | 70 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Laurel
- Jamesport, NY 11947 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Mattituck, NY 11952 · last Apr 19, first Nov 1
- South Jamesport, NY 11970 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Aquebogue, NY 11931 · last Apr 6, first Nov 9
- New Suffolk, NY 11956 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Cutchogue, NY 11935 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Riverhead, NY 11901 · last Apr 6, first Nov 9
- Peconic, NY 11958 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Laurel, NY?
- For ZIP code 11948, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Laurel, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 11948?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.