Frost dates for 12588Walker Valley, NY
The average last spring frost in Walker Valley is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 20 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 10 · Apr 24 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Walker Valley
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12588 is matched to the NOAA station Middletown 2 Nw, NY, 20.2 km away, at 700 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown 2 Nw, NY (used) | 700 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Montgomery Orange Ap, NY | 365 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Walden 1 Ese, NY | 380 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
| Rock Hill 3 Sw, NY | 1,270 ft | May 7 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Walker Valley
- Cragsmoor, NY 12420 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Pine Bush, NY 12566 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Burlingham, NY 12722 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Spring Glen, NY 12483 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Phillipsport, NY 12769 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Summitville, NY 12781 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Thompson Ridge, NY 10985 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Bloomingburg, NY 12721 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Walker Valley, NY?
- For ZIP code 12588, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Middletown 2 Nw, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Walker Valley, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12588?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.