Frost Dates for Auburn, NY

In Auburn, NY, the average last spring frost is around May 2 and the average first fall frost around Oct 18, for a growing season of about 166 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 18, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 250% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 18only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1850% chance of frost before this date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Auburn, NY weather station, 1 mile away, elevation 770 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 18Oct 3
20%May 12Oct 7
30%May 8Oct 12
40%May 5Oct 15
50%May 2Oct 18
60%Apr 30Oct 21
70%Apr 27Oct 25
80%Apr 24Oct 29
90%Apr 20Nov 2

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 13Oct 5
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 2Oct 18
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 22Nov 1

Planting calendar for Auburn

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant May 9 – May 23
Peppers
Indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant May 16 – May 30
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant May 16 – May 30
Basil
Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 4 – Apr 11
Sow or transplant May 9 – May 23
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 4 – Apr 11
Sow or transplant May 9 – May 23
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 9 – May 23
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 4 – Apr 11
Sow or transplant May 16 – May 30
Green beans
Sow May 9 – May 23
Sweet corn
Sow May 9 – May 23
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4
Sow or transplant Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 20
Spinach
Sow Mar 21 – Apr 11
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 13
Peas
Sow Mar 21 – Apr 4
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Kale
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 21
Sow or transplant Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Sep 6
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Apr 18 – May 2
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Carrots
Sow Apr 11 – May 2
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Radishes
Sow Mar 28 – Apr 18
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Sep 27
Beets
Sow Apr 11 – May 2
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21
Plant Apr 4 – Apr 18
Potatoes
Plant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Garlic
Plant Oct 18 – Nov 15

Based on the average last frost (May 2) and first frost (Oct 18). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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