Frost dates for 12778Smallwood, NY
The average last spring frost in Smallwood is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 6 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 23 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 6 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smallwood
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12778 is matched to the NOAA station Liberty 1 Ne, NY, 16.9 km away, at 1,580 ft elevation (379 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 1 Ne, NY (used) | 1,580 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
| Rock Hill 3 Sw, NY | 1,270 ft | May 7 | Oct 7 |
| Milanville, PA | 760 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Callicoon Ctr, NY | 1,221 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Smallwood
- Mongaup Valley, NY 12762 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- White Lake, NY 12786 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Bethel, NY 12720 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Swan Lake, NY 12783 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Harris, NY 12742 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Monticello, NY 12701 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Ferndale, NY 12734 · last May 9, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smallwood, NY?
- For ZIP code 12778, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Liberty 1 Ne, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Smallwood, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12778?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.