Frost dates for 14086Lancaster, NY
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 22 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lancaster
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 | Mar 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14086 is matched to the NOAA station Buffalo, NY, 8 km away, at 693 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY (used) | 693 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 26 |
| Wales, NY | 1,135 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| N Tonawanda, NY | 578 ft | May 6 | Oct 15 |
| Colden 1 N, NY | 1,025 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Depew, NY 14043 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Bowmansville, NY 14026 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Buffalo, NY 14227 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Elma, NY 14059 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Clarence, NY 14031 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Spring Brook, NY 14140 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Alden, NY 14004 · last Apr 24, first Oct 26
- Marilla, NY 14102 · last May 7, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, NY?
- For ZIP code 14086, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buffalo, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14086?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.