Frost dates for 12978Redford, NY
The average last spring frost in Redford is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 30 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Redford
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12978 is matched to the NOAA station Dannemora, NY, 13.4 km away, at 1,340 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dannemora, NY (used) | 1,340 ft | May 6 | Oct 11 |
| Peru 2 Wsw, NY | 510 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| Plattsburgh Intl Ap, NY | 234 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Ellenburg Depot, NY | 950 ft | May 10 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Redford
- Saranac, NY 12981 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Cadyville, NY 12918 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Dannemora, NY 12929 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Lyon Mountain, NY 12952 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Schuyler Falls, NY 12985 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Morrisonville, NY 12962 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Au Sable Forks, NY 12912 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Peru, NY 12972 · last May 4, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Redford, NY?
- For ZIP code 12978, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dannemora, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Redford, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12978?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.