Frost dates for 13848Tunnel, NY
The average last spring frost in Tunnel is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 28 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 18 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 29 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 7 · Oct 26 · Nov 10 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tunnel
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 21 |
| 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 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| 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 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13848 is matched to the NOAA station Binghamton, NY, 21.3 km away, at 1,606 ft elevation (248 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY (used) | 1,606 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Whitney Pt Dam, NY | 1,040 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Deposit, NY | 1,000 ft | May 12 | Oct 9 |
| Endicott, NY | 827 ft | May 5 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Tunnel
- Port Crane, NY 13833 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Harpursville, NY 13787 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Ouaquaga, NY 13826 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Chenango Forks, NY 13746 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Chenango Bridge, NY 13745 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Greene, NY 13778 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Binghamton, NY 13901 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Castle Creek, NY 13744 · last May 2, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tunnel, NY?
- For ZIP code 13848, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Binghamton, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Tunnel, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13848?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.