Groton, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Groton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Groton falls between April 23 and May 23, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 33% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 156 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 54 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Groton, NY
Groton, NY frost dates — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 8, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Groton, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Freeville 1 Ne, NY weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,050 ft (320 m)).
Frost dates near Groton
- Mc Lean May 7 · Oct 8
- Locke May 7 · Oct 8
- Freeville May 7 · Oct 8
- Etna May 7 · Oct 8
- Dryden May 7 · Oct 8
- Lansing May 11 · Oct 3
- Cortland May 7 · Oct 8
- Moravia May 1 · Oct 21
- Homer May 12 · Oct 5
- Genoa May 1 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Groton, NY?
The median last spring frost in Groton, NY is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Groton, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Groton, NY?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Groton, NY?
Groton, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.