Belfast, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season132 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Belfast compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Belfast falls between May 2 and June 6, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 18 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 20 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 173 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 87 km away, the last frost here is 27 days later than there and the growing season is 53 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Belfast, NY
Belfast, NY frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Sep 30, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Belfast, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Angelica, NY weather station, 6 km away (elevation 1,476 ft (450 m)).
Frost dates near Belfast
- Angelica May 21 · Sep 30
- Caneadea May 21 · Sep 30
- Belmont May 21 · Sep 30
- Black Creek May 21 · Sep 30
- Fillmore May 21 · Sep 30
- Houghton May 21 · Sep 30
- Friendship May 4 · Oct 14
- Rushford May 14 · Oct 6
- Hume May 21 · Sep 30
- Scio May 4 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Belfast, NY?
The median last spring frost in Belfast, NY is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Belfast, NY?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Belfast, NY?
About 132 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Belfast, NY?
Belfast, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.