Alma, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 20median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season132 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Alma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alma falls between May 5 and June 2, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 10.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 132-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 175 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 115 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 53 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 5 |
| 50% (median) | May 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 10 |
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 Alma, NY
Alma, NY frost dates — last frost May 20, first frost Sep 29, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alma, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 22 – May 27 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Basil | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Oswayo 1 Ene, PA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 1,709 ft (521 m)).
Frost dates near Alma
- Allentown May 4 · Oct 14
- Bolivar May 4 · Oct 14
- Richburg May 4 · Oct 14
- Little Genesee May 4 · Oct 14
- Wellsville May 15 · Oct 2
- Ceres May 7 · Oct 11
- West Clarksville May 4 · Oct 14
- Scio May 4 · Oct 14
- Whitesville May 15 · Oct 2
- Friendship May 4 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alma, NY?
The median last spring frost in Alma, NY is May 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alma, NY?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Alma, NY?
About 132 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alma, NY?
Alma, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.