Frost dates for 14172Wilson, NY
The average last spring frost in Wilson is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 9 · May 22 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Oct 10 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 18 · May 1 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilson
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14172 is matched to the NOAA station Youngstown 2 E, NY, 15.8 km away, at 295 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown 2 E, NY (used) | 295 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 28 |
| Lockport 4E, NY | 610 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
| Niagara Falls Intl Ap, NY | 585 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Niagara Falls, NY | 588 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Wilson
- Burt, NY 14028 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Ransomville, NY 14131 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Newfane, NY 14108 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Olcott, NY 14126 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Appleton, NY 14008 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Youngstown, NY 14174 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Lockport, NY 14095 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Sanborn, NY 14132 · last May 1, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilson, NY?
- For ZIP code 14172, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Youngstown 2 E, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Wilson, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. 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 14172?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.