Frost dates for 14556Sonyea, NY
The average last spring frost in Sonyea is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 31 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 13 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sonyea
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14556 is matched to the NOAA station Dansville, NY, 15.6 km away, at 660 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville, NY (used) | 660 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Mt Morris 2 W, NY | 880 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
| Dansville Muni Ap, NY | 685 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Hemlock, NY | 902 ft | May 2 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Sonyea
- Mount Morris, NY 14510 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Groveland, NY 14462 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Scottsburg, NY 14545 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Leicester, NY 14481 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Nunda, NY 14517 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Geneseo, NY 14454 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Conesus, NY 14435 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Perry, NY 14530 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sonyea, NY?
- For ZIP code 14556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dansville, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Sonyea, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.