Frost dates for 14850Ithaca, NY
The average last spring frost in Ithaca is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 8 · May 24 · Jun 6 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 6 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 21 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Nov 4 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ithaca
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14850 is matched to the NOAA station Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY, 4 km away, at 960 ft elevation (550 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY (used) | 960 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
| Freeville 1 Ne, NY | 1,050 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| Ithaca 13 E, NY | 1,228 ft | May 13 | Oct 4 |
| Mecklenburg 4Sw, NY | 1,510 ft | May 10 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Ithaca
- Ithaca, NY 14853 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Etna, NY 13062 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Newfield, NY 14867 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Slaterville Springs, NY 14881 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Jacksonville, NY 14854 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Freeville, NY 13068 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Brooktondale, NY 14817 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Lansing, NY 14882 · last May 11, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ithaca, NY?
- For ZIP code 14850, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Ithaca, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14850?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.