Lewis, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Lewis compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lewis falls between April 20 and May 16, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 165-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Lewis, NY
Lewis, NY frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 14, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lewis, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Willsboro 1 N, NY weather station, 16 km away (elevation 180 ft (55 m)).
Frost dates near Lewis
- Elizabethtown May 2 · Oct 14
- Westport Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Willsboro May 2 · Oct 14
- Essex May 2 · Oct 14
- Jay May 27 · Sep 22
- New Russia Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Upper Jay May 27 · Sep 22
- Au Sable Forks May 4 · Oct 4
- Keene May 27 · Sep 22
- Keeseville May 4 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lewis, NY?
The median last spring frost in Lewis, NY is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lewis, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Lewis, NY?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lewis, NY?
Lewis, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.