When to Plant Tomatoes in New York
In New York, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 8 – Apr 22 in New York to May 21 – Jun 4 in Kingston. In New York, it's Apr 8 – Apr 22. The average last spring frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Apr 1 in New York, May 14 in Kingston), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in New York by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 6a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Auburn | 6a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Binghamton | 6a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Buffalo | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Elmira | 6a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Freeport | 7b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Garden City | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Glen Cove | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Harrison | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Hempstead | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Ithaca | 6a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Jamestown | 6a | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Kingston | 6b | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Kiryas Joel | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Lindenhurst | 7b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Long Beach | 7b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Middletown | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Mount Vernon | 7b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| New Rochelle | 7b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| New York | 7b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Newburgh | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Niagara Falls | 6b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| North Tonawanda | 6b | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Ossining | 7a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Peekskill | 7a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Port Chester | 7b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Poughkeepsie | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Rochester | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Rockville Centre | 7b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Rome | 5b | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Saratoga Springs | 5b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Schenectady | 6a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Spring Valley | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Syracuse | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Troy | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Utica | 5b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Valley Stream | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Watertown | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| White Plains | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Yonkers | 7b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in New York, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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