Marathon, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Marathon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marathon falls between April 22 and May 20, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 1 day later 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 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 150 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 67 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Marathon, NY
Marathon, NY frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marathon, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| 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 Whitney Pt Dam, NY weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,040 ft (317 m)).
Frost dates near Marathon
- Killawog May 4 · Oct 16
- Willet May 4 · Oct 16
- Lisle May 4 · Oct 16
- Richford May 13 · Oct 4
- Blodgett Mills May 13 · Oct 4
- Cincinnatus May 4 · Oct 16
- Whitney Point May 4 · Oct 16
- Harford May 13 · Oct 4
- Mc Graw May 12 · Oct 5
- Smithville Flats May 4 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marathon, NY?
The median last spring frost in Marathon, NY is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marathon, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Marathon, NY?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marathon, NY?
Marathon, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.