Frost dates for 12082Grafton, NY
The average last spring frost in Grafton is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 30 · May 14 · May 30 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 15 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grafton
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 21 |
| 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 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| 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 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12082 is matched to the NOAA station Grafton, NY, 2 km away, at 1,560 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton, NY (used) | 1,560 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Buskirk, NY | 499 ft | May 6 | Oct 6 |
| Pownal 1 Ne, VT | 1,110 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| Troy L&D, NY | 15 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Grafton
- Cropseyville, NY 12052 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Petersburg, NY 12138 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Berlin, NY 12022 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Johnsonville, NY 12094 · last May 6, first Oct 6
- Poestenkill, NY 12140 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Hoosick, NY 12089 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Valley Falls, NY 12185 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Melrose, NY 12121 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grafton, NY?
- For ZIP code 12082, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grafton, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Grafton, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12082?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.