Alden, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Alden compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alden falls between April 11 and May 9, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Alden shares its weather station with Buffalo, NY, 26 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Alden, NY
Alden, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 26, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alden, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Buffalo, NY weather station, 18 km away (elevation 692 ft (211 m)).
Frost dates near Alden
- Crittenden Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Marilla May 7 · Oct 10
- Lancaster Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Darien Center May 4 · Oct 17
- Elma May 7 · Oct 10
- Cowlesville May 7 · Oct 10
- Clarence Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Corfu May 3 · Oct 16
- Bowmansville Apr 24 · Oct 26
- Akron Apr 26 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alden, NY?
The median last spring frost in Alden, NY is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alden, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Alden, NY?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alden, NY?
Alden, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.