Frost Dates for Jamestown, NY

In Jamestown, NY, the average last spring frost is around May 8 and the average first fall frost around Oct 13, for a growing season of about 158 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 25, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 850% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 25only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1350% chance of frost before this date
Growing season158 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Jamestown 4 Ene, NY weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 1,250 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 25Oct 1
20%May 20Oct 4
30%May 15Oct 7
40%May 11Oct 10
50%May 8Oct 13
60%May 4Oct 17
70%Apr 30Oct 20
80%Apr 28Oct 24
90%Apr 22Oct 30

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 20Oct 1
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 8Oct 13
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 25Oct 28

Planting calendar for Jamestown

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant May 15 – May 29
Peppers
Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant May 22 – Jun 5
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant May 22 – Jun 5
Basil
Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
Transplant May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 10 – Apr 17
Sow or transplant May 15 – May 29
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 10 – Apr 17
Sow or transplant May 15 – May 29
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 15 – May 29
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 10 – Apr 17
Sow or transplant May 22 – Jun 5
Green beans
Sow May 15 – May 29
Sweet corn
Sow May 15 – May 29
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 15
Spinach
Sow Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 8
Peas
Sow Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Aug 18
Kale
Indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Sep 1
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Carrots
Sow Apr 17 – May 8
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Radishes
Sow Apr 3 – Apr 24
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 22
Beets
Sow Apr 17 – May 8
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Aug 18
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27
Plant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Potatoes
Plant Apr 17 – May 1
Garlic
Plant Oct 13 – Nov 10

Based on the average last frost (May 8) and first frost (Oct 13). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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