Frost dates for 12589Wallkill, NY
The average last spring frost in Wallkill is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 27 · May 11 · May 25 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wallkill
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12589 is matched to the NOAA station Walden 1 Ese, NY, 7.4 km away, at 380 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walden 1 Ese, NY (used) | 380 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
| Montgomery Orange Ap, NY | 365 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Mohonk Lake, NY | 1,245 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 27 |
| Poughkeepsie Dutchess Co Ap, NY | 166 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Wallkill
- Gardiner, NY 12525 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Modena, NY 12548 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Plattekill, NY 12568 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Walden, NY 12586 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Clintondale, NY 12515 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Newburgh, NY 12550 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Montgomery, NY 12549 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Marlboro, NY 12542 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wallkill, NY?
- For ZIP code 12589, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Walden 1 Ese, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Wallkill, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12589?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.