Frost dates for 14051East Amherst, NY
The average last spring frost in East Amherst is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 2 · May 15 · May 27 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Amherst
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14051 is matched to the NOAA station N Tonawanda, NY, 13.3 km away, at 578 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Tonawanda, NY (used) | 578 ft | May 6 | Oct 15 |
| Buffalo, NY | 693 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 26 |
| Lockport 4E, NY | 610 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
| Niagara Falls Intl Ap, NY | 585 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near East Amherst
- Getzville, NY 14068 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Clarence Center, NY 14032 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Buffalo, NY 14228 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Clarence, NY 14031 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Bowmansville, NY 14026 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- North Tonawanda, NY 14120 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Lockport, NY 14094 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Tonawanda, NY 14150 · last May 6, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Amherst, NY?
- For ZIP code 14051, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Tonawanda, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in East Amherst, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14051?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.