Frost dates for 12531Holmes, NY
The average last spring frost in Holmes is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (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 21 · May 2 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 8 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 8 · Apr 21 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Holmes
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 5 |
| 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 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 5 |
| 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 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12531 is matched to the NOAA station Stormville, NY, 5.9 km away, at 915 ft elevation (72 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stormville, NY (used) | 915 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| Carmel 4N, NY | 680 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Poughkeepsie Dutchess Co Ap, NY | 166 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Danbury Muni Ap, CT | 457 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Holmes
- Stormville, NY 12582 · last Apr 21, first Oct 25
- Pawling, NY 12564 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Patterson, NY 12563 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Poughquag, NY 12570 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Carmel, NY 10512 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Sherman, CT 06784 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Brewster, NY 10509 · last May 1, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Holmes, NY?
- For ZIP code 12531, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stormville, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Holmes, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12531?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.