Frost dates for 12261Albany, NY
The average last spring frost in Albany is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 19 · May 1 · May 15 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 31 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 10 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 20 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Albany
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12261 is matched to the NOAA station Troy L&D, NY, 12.4 km away, at 15 ft elevation (129 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy L&D, NY (used) | 15 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Albany Ap, NY | 312 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Alcove Dam, NY | 607 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Valatie 1 N, NY | 300 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Albany
- Albany, NY 12201 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Rensselaer, NY 12144 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Glenmont, NY 12077 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Delmar, NY 12054 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Newtonville, NY 12128 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- East Greenbush, NY 12061 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Watervliet, NY 12189 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Slingerlands, NY 12159 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albany, NY?
- For ZIP code 12261, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Troy L&D, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Albany, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. 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 12261?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.