New York Frost Dates
New York, NY · USDA Zone 7b
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at New York Central Park, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00094728).
New York is in USDA Zone 7b. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~March) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~November).
New York planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | |||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in New York
The New York average first frost is around November 20, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Oct 30 | Nov 27 |
| Cilantro | Oct 6 | Nov 20 |
| Kale | Oct 5 | Dec 4 |
| Beets | Oct 3 | Nov 27 |
| Lettuce | Oct 1 | Nov 20 |
| Carrots | Sep 25 | Dec 4 |
| Broccoli | Sep 23 | Nov 27 |
| Peas | Sep 21 | Nov 20 |
| Zucchini | Aug 29 | Oct 23 |
| Beans (bush) | Aug 29 | Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 24 | Oct 23 |
| Potatoes | Aug 18 | Nov 16 |
| Tomatoes | Aug 9 | Oct 23 |
| Peppers | Aug 4 | Oct 23 |
| Eggplant | Jul 30 | Oct 23 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in New York: garlic ( Nov 20 to Dec 18) , onions ( Oct 9 to Oct 30) , spinach ( Oct 9 to Oct 23) , parsley ( Oct 9 to Oct 23) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around New York's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for New York.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in New York.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the New York season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in New York.
- Winter sowing guide
Winter sowing dates for New York.
More frost dates
Also in Zone 7b: Philadelphia, PA . Other cities: Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Denver, CO , Seattle, WA , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New York?
On average, around March.
What planting zone is New York, NY?
New York is in USDA hardiness Zone 7b.
When is the first frost in New York?
On average, around November 20. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in New York?
radishes (sow by Oct 30), cilantro (sow by Oct 6), kale (sow by Oct 5), beets (sow by Oct 3), lettuce (sow by Oct 1), carrots (sow by Sep 25). Each date is counted back from the New York first frost around November 20.