Frost dates for 12865Salem, NY
The average last spring frost in Salem is May 17 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 135 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 135 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 14 · May 28 · Jun 9 | Sep 6 · Sep 19 · Oct 1 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 135 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salem
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12865 is matched to the NOAA station Glens Falls Farm, NY, 32.1 km away, at 504 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glens Falls Farm, NY (used) | 504 ft | May 17 | Sep 29 |
| Sunderland 2, VT | 900 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| Buskirk, NY | 499 ft | May 6 | Oct 6 |
| Glens Falls Ap, NY | 321 ft | May 9 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Cossayuna, NY 12823 · last May 17, first Sep 29
- Shushan, NY 12873 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Argyle, NY 12809 · last May 17, first Sep 29
- Rupert, VT 05768 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- West Rupert, VT 05776 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Cambridge, NY 12816 · last May 6, first Oct 6
- Greenwich, NY 12834 · last May 2, first Oct 7
- Arlington, VT 05250 · last May 13, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, NY?
- For ZIP code 12865, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Glens Falls Farm, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Salem, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12865?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 135 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.