Old Forge, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostSep 24median date
Growing season126 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Old Forge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Old Forge falls between May 3 and June 4, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 6.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 126-day growing season is among the shortest of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 9 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 193 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Utica, NY, 77 km away, the last frost here is 20 days later than there and the growing season is 39 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 24 |
| 90% (late) | October 6 |
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 Old Forge, NY
Old Forge, NY frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Sep 24, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Old Forge, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
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 Big Moose 3 Se, NY weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,759 ft (536 m)).
Frost dates near Old Forge
- Eagle Bay May 21 · Sep 24
- Inlet May 21 · Sep 24
- Thendara May 18 · Sep 30
- Raquette Lake May 21 · Sep 24
- Woodgate May 10 · Oct 4
- Brantingham May 8 · Oct 1
- Greig May 8 · Oct 1
- Lake Pleasant May 23 · Sep 27
- Forestport May 10 · Oct 4
- Glenfield May 8 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Old Forge, NY?
The median last spring frost in Old Forge, NY is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Old Forge, NY?
The median first fall frost is September 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Old Forge, NY?
About 126 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Old Forge, NY?
Old Forge, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.