Frost dates for 12975Port Kent, NY
The average last spring frost in Port Kent is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 1 · May 12 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 16 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Port Kent
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12975 is matched to the NOAA station Willsboro 1 N, NY, 16 km away, at 180 ft elevation (59 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willsboro 1 N, NY (used) | 180 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| Peru 2 Wsw, NY | 510 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| S Hero, VT | 110 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 20 |
| Plattsburgh Intl Ap, NY | 234 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Port Kent
- Keeseville, NY 12944 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Peru, NY 12972 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Burlington, VT 05408 · last Apr 28, first Oct 20
- South Hero, VT 05486 · last Apr 28, first Oct 20
- Schuyler Falls, NY 12985 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Colchester, VT 05446 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Winooski, VT 05404 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Plattsburgh, NY 12903 · last Apr 28, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Port Kent, NY?
- For ZIP code 12975, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willsboro 1 N, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Port Kent, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12975?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.