Frost dates for 13326Cooperstown, NY
The average last spring frost in Cooperstown is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 3 · Oct 21 · Nov 7 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cooperstown
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13326 is matched to the NOAA station Cooperstown, NY, 1.8 km away, at 1,257 ft elevation (23 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperstown, NY (used) | 1,257 ft | May 7 | Oct 7 |
| Cherry Valley 2 Nne, NY | 1,360 ft | May 6 | Oct 6 |
| Emmons, NY | 1,225 ft | May 17 | Oct 3 |
| Cobleskill 2 Ese, NY | 1,169 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Cooperstown
- Fly Creek, NY 13337 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Roseboom, NY 13450 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Milford, NY 13807 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Hartwick, NY 13348 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Schuyler Lake, NY 13457 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Westford, NY 13488 · last May 6, first Oct 6
- Schenevus, NY 12155 · last May 7, first Oct 7
- Richfield Springs, NY 13439 · last May 7, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cooperstown, NY?
- For ZIP code 13326, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cooperstown, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Cooperstown, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13326?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.