Frost dates for 14863Mecklenburg, NY
The average last spring frost in Mecklenburg is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 7 · May 23 · Jun 4 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 6 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mecklenburg
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14863 is matched to the NOAA station Mecklenburg 4Sw, NY, 4.4 km away, at 1,510 ft elevation (296 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg 4Sw, NY (used) | 1,510 ft | May 10 | Oct 8 |
| Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY | 960 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
| Aurora Rsch Farm, NY | 830 ft | May 1 | Oct 21 |
| Freeville 1 Ne, NY | 1,050 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Mecklenburg
- Trumansburg, NY 14886 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Jacksonville, NY 14854 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Burdett, NY 14818 · last May 10, first Oct 8
- Odessa, NY 14869 · last May 10, first Oct 8
- Alpine, NY 14805 · last May 10, first Oct 8
- Newfield, NY 14867 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Hector, NY 14841 · last Apr 30, first Oct 22
- Montour Falls, NY 14865 · last May 9, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mecklenburg, NY?
- For ZIP code 14863, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mecklenburg 4Sw, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Mecklenburg, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 14863?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.