Frost dates for 12427Elka Park, NY
The average last spring frost in Elka Park is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 8 · May 25 · Jun 5 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 2 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elka Park
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12427 is matched to the NOAA station Platte Clove, NY, 3.9 km away, at 2,032 ft elevation (90 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platte Clove, NY (used) | 2,032 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| E Jewett, NY | 1,991 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| Cairo 3 Nw, NY | 490 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
| Hudson Correctional Facility, NY | 30 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Elka Park
- Tannersville, NY 12485 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Haines Falls, NY 12436 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Palenville, NY 12463 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- East Jewett, NY 12424 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Lanesville, NY 12450 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Hunter, NY 12442 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Lake Hill, NY 12448 · last Apr 21, first Oct 27
- Round Top, NY 12473 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elka Park, NY?
- For ZIP code 12427, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Platte Clove, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Elka Park, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12427?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.