Frost dates for 13601Watertown, NY
The average last spring frost in Watertown is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Watertown
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 23 |
| 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 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 23 |
| 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 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13601 is matched to the NOAA station Watertown, NY, 3 km away, at 497 ft elevation (28 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, NY (used) | 497 ft | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Watertown Intl Ap, NY | 318 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Lowville, NY | 863 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Pulaski, NY | 399 ft | May 10 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Watertown
- Brownville, NY 13615 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Watertown, NY 13603 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Calcium, NY 13616 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Black River, NY 13612 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Limerick, NY 13657 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Dexter, NY 13634 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Rodman, NY 13682 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Evans Mills, NY 13637 · last May 2, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Watertown, NY?
- For ZIP code 13601, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Watertown, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Watertown, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13601?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.