Madison, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season156 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between April 25 and May 21, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 156-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 158 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Utica, NY, 32 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 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 Madison, NY
Madison, NY frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 9, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Morrisville 6 Sw, NY weather station, 19 km away (elevation 1,680 ft (512 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Solsville May 6 · Oct 9
- Bouckville May 6 · Oct 9
- Oriskany Falls May 1 · Oct 13
- Hamilton May 6 · Oct 9
- Knoxboro May 1 · Oct 13
- Hubbardsville May 13 · Oct 4
- Waterville May 1 · Oct 13
- Deansboro May 1 · Oct 13
- Eaton May 6 · Oct 9
- North Brookfield May 13 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, NY?
The median last spring frost in Madison, NY is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Madison, NY?
About 156 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, NY?
Madison, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.