Frost dates for 14883Spencer, NY
The average last spring frost in Spencer is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 9 · May 24 · Jun 7 | Sep 11 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 19 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 3 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spencer
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14883 is matched to the NOAA station Spencer 1 Ne, NY, 3.8 km away, at 1,170 ft elevation (146 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer 1 Ne, NY (used) | 1,170 ft | May 12 | Oct 3 |
| Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY | 960 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
| Waverly, NY | 845 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Ithaca 13 E, NY | 1,228 ft | May 13 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Spencer
- Van Etten, NY 14889 · last May 12, first Oct 3
- Willseyville, NY 13864 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Candor, NY 13743 · last May 6, first Oct 10
- Lockwood, NY 14859 · last May 6, first Oct 10
- Newfield, NY 14867 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Erin, NY 14838 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Cayuta, NY 14824 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Brooktondale, NY 14817 · last May 13, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spencer, NY?
- For ZIP code 14883, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Spencer 1 Ne, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Spencer, 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 14883?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.