Frost Dates for Schenectady, NY

In Schenectady, NY, the average last spring frost is around Apr 27 and the average first fall frost around Oct 15, for a growing season of about 169 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 11, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 2750% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 11only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1550% chance of frost before this date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Albany Airport, NY weather station, 7 miles away, elevation 312 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 11Oct 3
20%May 6Oct 6
30%May 2Oct 9
40%Apr 30Oct 12
50%Apr 27Oct 15
60%Apr 25Oct 19
70%Apr 22Oct 22
80%Apr 19Oct 27
90%Apr 16Nov 1

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 8Oct 4
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 27Oct 15
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 16Oct 28

Planting calendar for Schenectady

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant May 4 – May 18
Peppers
Indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant May 11 – May 25
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant May 11 – May 25
Basil
Indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 30 – Apr 6
Sow or transplant May 4 – May 18
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 30 – Apr 6
Sow or transplant May 4 – May 18
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 4 – May 18
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 30 – Apr 6
Sow or transplant May 11 – May 25
Green beans
Sow May 4 – May 18
Sweet corn
Sow May 4 – May 18
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 17
Spinach
Sow Mar 16 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 10
Peas
Sow Mar 16 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Kale
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Sep 3
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Carrots
Sow Apr 6 – Apr 27
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Radishes
Sow Mar 23 – Apr 13
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Sep 24
Beets
Sow Apr 6 – Apr 27
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16
Plant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Potatoes
Plant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Garlic
Plant Oct 15 – Nov 12

Based on the average last frost (Apr 27) and first frost (Oct 15). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

AlbanyTroySaratoga SpringsUticaPoughkeepsieRomeNewburghMiddletownAll New York towns