Frost dates for 11965Shelter Island Heights, NY
The average last spring frost in Shelter Island Heights is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 24 · May 6 · May 20 | Oct 2 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 22 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shelter Island Heights
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 11965 is matched to the NOAA station Bridgehampton, NY, 15.5 km away, at 42 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgehampton, NY (used) | 42 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 24 |
| Orient Pt Sp, NY | 3 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 17 |
| Mattituck, NY | 20 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 1 |
| Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY | 100 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Shelter Island Heights
- Greenport, NY 11944 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Shelter Island, NY 11964 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- East Marion, NY 11939 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Southold, NY 11971 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Orient, NY 11957 · last Apr 6, first Nov 17
- Peconic, NY 11958 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Sag Harbor, NY 11963 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
- Cutchogue, NY 11935 · last Apr 23, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
- For ZIP code 11965, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bridgehampton, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 11965?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.