Frost dates for 14901Elmira, NY
The average last spring frost in Elmira is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 3 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 7 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elmira
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 14901 is matched to the NOAA station Elmira, NY, 2 km away, at 947 ft elevation (81 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira, NY (used) | 947 ft | May 6 | Oct 11 |
| Elmira Corning Rgnl Ap, NY | 955 ft | May 9 | Oct 9 |
| Corning, NY | 1,147 ft | May 17 | Oct 2 |
| Waverly, NY | 845 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Elmira
- Elmira, NY 14905 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Pine City, NY 14871 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Wellsburg, NY 14894 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Horseheads, NY 14845 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Lowman, NY 14861 · last May 6, first Oct 11
- Breesport, NY 14816 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Big Flats, NY 14814 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Erin, NY 14838 · last May 6, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elmira, NY?
- For ZIP code 14901, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elmira, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Elmira, 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 14901?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.