Frost dates for 14611Rochester, NY
The average last spring frost in Rochester is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 23 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 8 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 26 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rochester
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14611 is matched to the NOAA station Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, NY, 4.6 km away, at 533 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, NY (used) | 533 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
| Victor 2Nw, NY | 588 ft | May 2 | Oct 17 |
| Webster 2 Ne, NY | 275 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Brockport, NY | 498 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Rochester
- Rochester, NY 14608 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Henrietta, NY 14467 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- West Henrietta, NY 14586 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- East Rochester, NY 14445 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Pittsford, NY 14534 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- North Chili, NY 14514 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Spencerport, NY 14559 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- North Greece, NY 14515 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rochester, NY?
- For ZIP code 14611, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Rochester, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14611?
- 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.