Frost dates for 12492West Kill, NY
The average last spring frost in West Kill is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 19 · Jun 2 · Jun 15 | Aug 31 · Sep 15 · Sep 29 | 104 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 25 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Kill
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 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12492 is matched to the NOAA station E Jewett, NY, 18.2 km away, at 1,991 ft elevation (85 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Jewett, NY (used) | 1,991 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| Slide Mtn, NY | 2,650 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Platte Clove, NY | 2,032 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| Lansing Manor, NY | 1,100 ft | May 18 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near West Kill
- Lexington, NY 12452 · last May 18, first Oct 2
- Shandaken, NY 12480 · last May 18, first Oct 2
- Jewett, NY 12444 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Hunter, NY 12442 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Prattsville, NY 12468 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Ashland, NY 12407 · last May 18, first Oct 2
- Highmount, NY 12441 · last May 20, first Sep 27
- Lanesville, NY 12450 · last May 20, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Kill, NY?
- For ZIP code 12492, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Jewett, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in West Kill, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12492?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.