Frost dates for 14030Chaffee, NY
The average last spring frost in Chaffee is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 19 (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 29 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 3 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chaffee
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14030 is matched to the NOAA station Colden 1W, NY, 19.6 km away, at 1,535 ft elevation (111 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colden 1W, NY (used) | 1,535 ft | May 4 | Oct 17 |
| Colden 1 N, NY | 1,025 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
| Wales, NY | 1,135 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Franklinville, NY | 1,590 ft | May 14 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Chaffee
- Sardinia, NY 14134 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Yorkshire, NY 14173 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Arcade, NY 14009 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Delevan, NY 14042 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- East Concord, NY 14055 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Holland, NY 14080 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Glenwood, NY 14069 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Sandusky, NY 14133 · last May 14, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chaffee, NY?
- For ZIP code 14030, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colden 1W, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Chaffee, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. 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 14030?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.