Planting calendar for New York
Short answer
Most of New York is in climate zone 5, with an average last spring frost around Apr 15 and first fall frost around Oct 25. Plant hardy crops before the last frost, tender crops after. Enter your ZIP for dates tuned to your exact area.
Last spring frost
Apr 15
First fall frost
Oct 25
Climate zone(s)
4, 5, 6
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 11 | May 10 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11 | Apr 25 |
| Radishes | — | Mar 18 | Apr 15 |
| Kale | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | May 12 |
| Onions | Feb 4 | Mar 18 | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Mar 25 | May 14 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25 | Jun 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 25 | May 19 |
| Strawberries | — | Mar 25 | Jun 23 |
| Blueberries | — | Mar 25 | Year 2–3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1 | Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1 | Jun 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1 | Jun 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1 | May 16 |
| Blackberries | — | Apr 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Nasturtiums | — | Apr 15 | Jun 9 |
| Zucchini / squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22 | Jun 11 |
| Green beans | — | Apr 22 | Jun 16 |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 22 | Jul 6 |
| Coleus | Feb 4 | Apr 22 | Jun 21 |
| Marigolds | Feb 25 | Apr 22 | Jun 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 11 | Apr 22 | Jun 26 |
| Morning glories | Mar 18 | Apr 22 | Jul 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22 | Jul 11 |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Feb 18 | Apr 29 | Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkins | Apr 1 | Apr 29 | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Mar 4 | Apr 29 | Jun 28 |
| Peonies | — | Sep 13 | Year 2–3 |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | Jun 1 (next yr) |
| Tulips | — | Nov 1 | Apr 30 (next yr) |
Dates use zone 5 (most of New York); colder areas run later. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone.
What sets planting dates in New York
Planting dates across New York anchor to two dates. Most of the state sits in climate zone 5, where the average last spring frost lands around Apr 15 and the first fall frost around Oct 25 — a growing season of roughly 193 days. Every crop in the calendar counts forward or backward from those two frosts.
Hardy crops shrug off a light freeze, so they go in weeks before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it, once the soil warms. In New York's zone 5, that's why peas can go out around Mar 11 while tomatoes wait until about Apr 29.
New York isn't a single climate — it spans zones 4, 5, 6, so higher-elevation and northern areas run later than these zone-5 dates. Use this as the state midpoint, then enter your ZIP for frost dates tuned to your exact area.
What sets your dates
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Last spring frost | Tender crops can't go out until it passes — around Apr 15 in New York's zone 5 |
| First fall frost | Sets the harvest deadline — around Oct 25 — for anything still in the ground |
| Climate zone | New York spans zones 4, 5, 6; colder (higher-number) areas run later |
| Crop hardiness | Hardy crops plant before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it |
| Indoor head start | Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) need 6–10 weeks started indoors first |
| Microclimate & elevation | Cold pockets, slopes, and higher ground run later than the state average |
How New York's season compares
| Reference | Growing season |
|---|---|
| Long season (zone 2) | ~293 days · Feb 15 – Dec 5 |
| New York (zone 5) | ~193 days · Apr 15 – Oct 25 |
| Short season (zone 8) | ~96 days · Jun 1 – Sep 5 |
New York planting tips
- Don't rush tender crops out before New York's last frost (around Apr 15) — a single late freeze can wipe out tomatoes and peppers.
- Start cool-season crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) early; they handle New York's spring chill and bolt once summer heat arrives.
- Count backward from Apr 15 to time indoor seed-starting — 6–10 weeks for warm crops that need a head start.
- For a fall harvest, work back from the first frost (around Oct 25) using each crop's days-to-harvest so it matures in time.
Your exact area
Open the planting calendarOther states
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New York?
Most of New York (zone 5) averages its last spring frost around Apr 15 and first fall frost around Oct 25. Colder parts of the state run later in spring.
When should I plant tomatoes in New York?
Set tomato transplants out around Apr 29 in most of New York — a couple of weeks after the last frost. Start seeds indoors about Mar 4.
What is the growing season in New York?
Roughly Oct 25 minus Apr 15 for zone 5. Cool-season crops extend it on both ends; enter your ZIP for your exact dates.