Nichols, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Nichols compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Nichols falls between April 22 and May 22, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 38% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Scranton, PA, 90 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Nichols, NY
Nichols, NY frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 10, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
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 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
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 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
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 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Nichols, 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 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| 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 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| 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 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Waverly, NY weather station, 14 km away (elevation 846 ft (258 m)).
Frost dates near Nichols
- Tioga Center May 6 · Oct 10
- Smithboro May 6 · Oct 10
- Barton May 6 · Oct 10
- Owego May 5 · Oct 12
- Waverly May 6 · Oct 10
- Apalachin May 5 · Oct 12
- Lockwood May 6 · Oct 10
- Candor May 12 · Oct 3
- Bible School Park May 5 · Oct 12
- Chemung May 6 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nichols, NY?
The median last spring frost in Nichols, NY is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Nichols, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Nichols, NY?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Nichols, NY?
Nichols, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.