Frost dates for 12037Chatham, NY
The average last spring frost in Chatham is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | May 2 · May 16 · May 28 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chatham
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 | Apr 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12037 is matched to the NOAA station Copake, NY, 26.5 km away, at 550 ft elevation (60 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copake, NY (used) | 550 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Valatie 1 N, NY | 300 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Hudson Correctional Facility, NY | 30 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Pittsfield Muni Ap, MA | 1,194 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Chatham
- Ghent, NY 12075 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Spencertown, NY 12165 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Old Chatham, NY 12136 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Kinderhook, NY 12106 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Austerlitz, NY 12017 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Valatie, NY 12184 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Niverville, NY 12130 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Mellenville, NY 12544 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chatham, NY?
- For ZIP code 12037, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Copake, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Chatham, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12037?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.