Frost dates for 14302Niagara Falls, NY
The average last spring frost in Niagara Falls is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 24 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 7 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 204 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Niagara Falls
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14302 is matched to the NOAA station Niagara Falls, NY, 7 km away, at 588 ft elevation (29 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls, NY (used) | 588 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 25 |
| Niagara Falls Intl Ap, NY | 585 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| N Tonawanda, NY | 578 ft | May 6 | Oct 15 |
| Youngstown 2 E, NY | 295 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Niagara Falls
- Niagara Falls, NY 14301 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Niagara University, NY 14109 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Lewiston, NY 14092 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Grand Island, NY 14072 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Model City, NY 14107 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Stella Niagara, NY 14144 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- Sanborn, NY 14132 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Tonawanda, NY 14151 · last May 6, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Niagara Falls, NY?
- For ZIP code 14302, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Niagara Falls, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Niagara Falls, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14302?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.