Frost dates for 12969Owls Head, NY
The average last spring frost in Owls Head is June 2 and the average first fall frost is September 9, giving a typical growing season of about 97 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 2
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 9
- Growing season
- 97 days
Safer after Jun 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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) | — | — | 63 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 19 | Aug 26 · Sep 9 · Sep 24 | 97 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 7 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 7 · Sep 23 · Oct 7 | 123 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Owls Head
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 | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – May 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Aug 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – May 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 30 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12969 is matched to the NOAA station Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY, 38.8 km away, at 1,663 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY (used) | 1,663 ft | Jun 2 | Sep 9 |
| Malone, NY | 878 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Ellenburg Depot, NY | 950 ft | May 10 | Oct 2 |
| Dannemora, NY | 1,340 ft | May 6 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Owls Head
- Whippleville, NY 12995 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Lyon Mountain, NY 12955 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Brainardsville, NY 12915 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Malone, NY 12953 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Chateaugay, NY 12920 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Burke, NY 12917 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Ellenburg Center, NY 12934 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- North Bangor, NY 12966 · last May 10, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Owls Head, NY?
- For ZIP code 12969, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 19.
- When is the first frost in Owls Head, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12969?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 97 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.