Frost dates for 13117Montezuma, NY
The average last spring frost in Montezuma is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 14 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Montezuma
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 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13117 is matched to the NOAA station Auburn, NY, 15.5 km away, at 770 ft elevation (373 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, NY (used) | 770 ft | May 2 | Oct 18 |
| Geneva Rsch Farm, NY | 718 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Aurora Rsch Farm, NY | 830 ft | May 1 | Oct 21 |
| Sodus 1W, NY | 444 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Montezuma
- Port Byron, NY 13140 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Savannah, NY 13146 · last May 6, first Oct 10
- Cayuga, NY 13034 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Seneca Falls, NY 13148 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Weedsport, NY 13166 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Auburn, NY 13022 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- South Butler, NY 13154 · last May 6, first Oct 10
- Clyde, NY 14433 · last May 6, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montezuma, NY?
- For ZIP code 13117, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Auburn, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Montezuma, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13117?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.