Frost Dates for Mount Vernon, NY

In Mount Vernon, NY, the average last spring frost is around Apr 1 and the average first fall frost around Nov 16, for a growing season of about 230 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 12, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 150% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 12only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 1650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Bronx, NY weather station, 5 miles away, elevation 39 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%Apr 12Nov 2
20%Apr 8Nov 6
30%Apr 5Nov 9
40%Apr 3Nov 12
50%Apr 1Nov 16
60%Mar 31Nov 20
70%Mar 28Nov 24
80%Mar 25Nov 30
90%Mar 19Dec 4

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)Apr 11Nov 4
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 1Nov 16
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 23Nov 30

Planting calendar for Mount Vernon

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers
Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Basil
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Green beans
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Sep 21 – Oct 19
Spinach
Sow Feb 18 – Mar 11
Fall sowing Sep 21 – Oct 12
Peas
Sow Feb 18 – Mar 4
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Sep 21
Kale
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Oct 5
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Carrots
Sow Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Radishes
Sow Feb 25 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Oct 5 – Oct 26
Beets
Sow Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Sep 21
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 7 – Jan 21
Plant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Potatoes
Plant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Garlic
Plant Nov 16 – Dec 14

Based on the average last frost (Apr 1) and first frost (Nov 16). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

New RochelleYonkersWhite PlainsHarrisonGlen CovePort ChesterOssiningSpring ValleyAll New York towns