Frost dates for 13835Richford, NY
The average last spring frost in Richford is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 8 · May 25 · Jun 6 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 23 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richford
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13835 is matched to the NOAA station Ithaca 13 E, NY, 7 km away, at 1,228 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca 13 E, NY (used) | 1,228 ft | May 13 | Oct 4 |
| Freeville 1 Ne, NY | 1,050 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| Whitney Pt Dam, NY | 1,040 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY | 960 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Richford
- Harford, NY 13784 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Berkshire, NY 13736 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Dryden, NY 13053 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Killawog, NY 13794 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Marathon, NY 13803 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Lisle, NY 13797 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Slaterville Springs, NY 14881 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Brooktondale, NY 14817 · last May 13, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richford, NY?
- For ZIP code 13835, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ithaca 13 E, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Richford, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13835?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.