Frost dates for 14304Niagara 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 14304 is matched to the NOAA station Niagara Falls, NY, 0.8 km away, at 588 ft elevation (14 ft higher 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 14303 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Niagara University, NY 14109 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Grand Island, NY 14072 · last Apr 26, first Oct 25
- Sanborn, NY 14132 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Lewiston, NY 14092 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
- North Tonawanda, NY 14120 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Tonawanda, NY 14151 · last May 6, first Oct 15
- Model City, NY 14107 · last Apr 29, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Niagara Falls, NY?
- For ZIP code 14304, 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 14304?
- 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.