Frost dates for 14558South Lima, NY
The average last spring frost in South Lima is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 12 · May 26 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 2 · May 16 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 3 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 14 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Lima
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14558 is matched to the NOAA station Hemlock, NY, 11.1 km away, at 902 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemlock, NY (used) | 902 ft | May 2 | Oct 18 |
| Avon, NY | 545 ft | May 3 | Oct 15 |
| Honeoye, NY | 800 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Mt Morris 2 W, NY | 880 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near South Lima
- Lakeville, NY 14480 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Livonia, NY 14487 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Livonia Center, NY 14488 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- Avon, NY 14414 · last May 3, first Oct 15
- Lima, NY 14485 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Geneseo, NY 14454 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Hemlock, NY 14466 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- West Bloomfield, NY 14585 · last May 10, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Lima, NY?
- For ZIP code 14558, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hemlock, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in South Lima, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14558?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.