Frost dates for 12942Keene, NY
The average last spring frost in Keene is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 3 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 5 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Keene
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12942 is matched to the NOAA station Peru 2 Wsw, NY, 38.7 km away, at 510 ft elevation (340 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru 2 Wsw, NY (used) | 510 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| Lake Placid 2 S, NY | 1,888 ft | May 27 | Sep 22 |
| Ray Brook, NY | 1,620 ft | May 21 | Sep 24 |
| Willsboro 1 N, NY | 180 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Keene
- Keene Valley, NY 12943 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Upper Jay, NY 12987 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Wilmington, NY 12997 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Jay, NY 12941 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Lake Placid, NY 12946 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Elizabethtown, NY 12932 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- New Russia, NY 12964 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Lewis, NY 12950 · last May 4, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Keene, NY?
- For ZIP code 12942, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Peru 2 Wsw, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Keene, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12942?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.