Elba, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Elba compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elba falls between April 21 and May 18, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is the same as the New York median of May 3.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later 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 131 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rochester, NY, 45 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Elba, NY
Elba, NY frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 16, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elba, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Batavia, NY weather station, 7 km away (elevation 912 ft (278 m)).
Frost dates near Elba
- Oakfield May 3 · Oct 16
- Byron May 3 · Oct 16
- Batavia May 3 · Oct 16
- South Byron May 3 · Oct 16
- Stafford May 3 · Oct 16
- Clarendon Apr 24 · Oct 30
- East Pembroke May 3 · Oct 16
- Holley Apr 24 · Oct 30
- Albion May 1 · Oct 20
- Bergen Apr 24 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elba, NY?
The median last spring frost in Elba, NY is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elba, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Elba, NY?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elba, NY?
Elba, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.