Frost dates for 12481Shokan, NY
The average last spring frost in Shokan is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shokan
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12481 is matched to the NOAA station Mohonk Lake, NY, 23.7 km away, at 1,245 ft elevation (477 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohonk Lake, NY (used) | 1,245 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 27 |
| Slide Mtn, NY | 2,650 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Platte Clove, NY | 2,032 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| E Jewett, NY | 1,991 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Shokan
- Boiceville, NY 12412 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Glenford, NY 12433 · last Apr 21, first Oct 27
- West Shokan, NY 12494 · last Apr 21, first Oct 27
- Mount Tremper, NY 12457 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Bearsville, NY 12409 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- West Hurley, NY 12491 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Woodstock, NY 12498 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Lake Hill, NY 12448 · last Apr 21, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shokan, NY?
- For ZIP code 12481, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mohonk Lake, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Shokan, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12481?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.