Frost dates for 13084La Fayette, NY
The average last spring frost in La Fayette is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 9 · May 25 · Jun 8 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 23 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Nov 4 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Fayette
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13084 is matched to the NOAA station Tully Heiberg Forest, NY, 14.7 km away, at 1,899 ft elevation (761 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tully Heiberg Forest, NY (used) | 1,899 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap, NY | 413 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| Morrisville 6 Sw, NY | 1,681 ft | May 6 | Oct 9 |
| Auburn, NY | 770 ft | May 2 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near La Fayette
- Pompey, NY 13138 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Nedrow, NY 13120 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Apulia Station, NY 13020 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Tully, NY 13159 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Jamesville, NY 13078 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Fabius, NY 13063 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Syracuse, NY 13215 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Preble, NY 13141 · last May 12, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Fayette, NY?
- For ZIP code 13084, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tully Heiberg Forest, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in La Fayette, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13084?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.