Frost dates for 13126Oswego, NY
The average last spring frost in Oswego is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 23 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 30 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 10 · Apr 22 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 26 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oswego
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 | Mar 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13126 is matched to the NOAA station Oswego, NY, 6.2 km away, at 324 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego, NY (used) | 324 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 29 |
| Fulton Oswego Co Ap, NY | 475 ft | May 2 | Oct 16 |
| Fulton, NY | 360 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 24 |
| Brewerton Lock 23, NY | 377 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Oswego
- Minetto, NY 13115 · last Apr 22, first Oct 29
- Lycoming, NY 13093 · last Apr 22, first Oct 29
- New Haven, NY 13121 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Fulton, NY 13069 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Hannibal, NY 13074 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Mexico, NY 13114 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Fair Haven, NY 13064 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Sterling, NY 13156 · last Apr 22, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oswego, NY?
- For ZIP code 13126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oswego, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Oswego, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13126?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.