Lake Placid, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 27median date
First fall frostSep 22median date
Growing season118 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Lake Placid compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lake Placid falls between May 10 and June 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 8 and October 4.
- The median last frost is 24 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 118-day growing season is among the shortest of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 184 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 10 |
| 50% (median) | May 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 8 |
| 50% (median) | September 22 |
| 90% (late) | October 4 |
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 Lake Placid, NY
Lake Placid, NY frost dates — last frost May 27, first frost Sep 22, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lake Placid, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | Apr 29 – Jun 3 | Jul 28 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Basil | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 22 – Jun 3 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Beets | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 13 – Jun 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 8 – Oct 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 Lake Placid 2 S, NY weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,890 ft (576 m)).
Frost dates near Lake Placid
- Ray Brook May 21 · Sep 24
- Saranac Lake May 21 · Sep 24
- Wilmington May 27 · Sep 22
- Bloomingdale Jun 2 · Sep 9
- Keene May 27 · Sep 22
- Upper Jay May 27 · Sep 22
- Keene Valley May 27 · Sep 22
- Vermontville Jun 2 · Sep 9
- Lake Clear Jun 2 · Sep 9
- Jay May 27 · Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lake Placid, NY?
The median last spring frost in Lake Placid, NY is May 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lake Placid, NY?
The median first fall frost is September 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 8.
How long is the growing season in Lake Placid, NY?
About 118 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lake Placid, NY?
Lake Placid, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.