Dunkirk, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Dunkirk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dunkirk falls between April 18 and May 15, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 73% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 58 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 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 Dunkirk, NY
Dunkirk, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 23, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dunkirk, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Dunkirk, NY weather station, 2 km away (elevation 630 ft (192 m)).
Frost dates near Dunkirk
- Fredonia Apr 25 · Nov 1
- Sheridan May 5 · Oct 20
- Van Buren Point Apr 30 · Oct 23
- Brocton Apr 25 · Oct 31
- Forestville May 5 · Oct 20
- Silver Creek May 5 · Oct 20
- Lily Dale Apr 25 · Nov 1
- Cassadaga Apr 25 · Nov 1
- Portland Apr 25 · Oct 31
- Stockton Apr 25 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dunkirk, NY?
The median last spring frost in Dunkirk, NY is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dunkirk, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Dunkirk, NY?
About 176 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dunkirk, NY?
Dunkirk, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.