Frost dates for 13687South Colton, NY
The average last spring frost in South Colton is May 18 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 14 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Aug 30 · Sep 15 · Oct 1 | 109 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 18 · Jun 2 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 6 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Colton
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13687 is matched to the NOAA station Wanakena Rngr School, NY, 39.7 km away, at 1,510 ft elevation (250 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanakena Rngr School, NY (used) | 1,510 ft | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| Colton 2 N, NY | 580 ft | May 5 | Oct 8 |
| Canton 4 Se, NY | 448 ft | May 9 | Sep 30 |
| Lawrenceville 3 Sw, NY | 466 ft | May 10 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near South Colton
- Colton, NY 13625 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Parishville, NY 13672 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Hannawa Falls, NY 13647 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Potsdam, NY 13676 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- West Stockholm, NY 13696 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Russell, NY 13684 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Pyrites, NY 13677 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Canton, NY 13617 · last May 9, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Colton, NY?
- For ZIP code 13687, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wanakena Rngr School, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in South Colton, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13687?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.