Frost dates for 13605Adams, NY
The average last spring frost in Adams 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 182 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 Adams
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 13605 is matched to the NOAA station Watertown, NY, 23.5 km away, at 497 ft elevation (64 ft lower 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 |
| Pulaski, NY | 399 ft | May 10 | Oct 14 |
| Lowville, NY | 863 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Adams
- Belleville, NY 13611 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Adams Center, NY 13606 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Pierrepont Manor, NY 13674 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Ellisburg, NY 13636 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Mannsville, NY 13661 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Lorraine, NY 13659 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Henderson Harbor, NY 13651 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Rodman, NY 13682 · last May 2, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Adams, NY?
- For ZIP code 13605, 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 Adams, 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 13605?
- 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.