Frost dates for 14778Saint Bonaventure, NY
The average last spring frost in Saint Bonaventure is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | May 5 · May 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Bonaventure
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14778 is matched to the NOAA station Olean, NY, 2.1 km away, at 1,420 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olean, NY (used) | 1,420 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
| Salamanca 2, NY | 1,415 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| Allegany Sp, NY | 1,500 ft | May 12 | Oct 9 |
| Franklinville, NY | 1,590 ft | May 14 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Saint Bonaventure
- Allegany, NY 14706 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Olean, NY 14760 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Westons Mills, NY 14788 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Limestone, NY 14753 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Portville, NY 14770 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Hinsdale, NY 14743 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- Derrick City, PA 16727 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Duke Center, PA 16729 · last May 18, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Bonaventure, NY?
- For ZIP code 14778, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Olean, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Saint Bonaventure, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14778?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.