Olean, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Olean compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Olean falls between April 23 and May 22, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 4 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 6 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 150 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 94 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 28 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 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 Olean, NY
Olean, NY frost dates — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 11, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Olean, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Olean, NY weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,421 ft (433 m)).
Frost dates near Olean
- Saint Bonaventure May 7 · Oct 11
- Westons Mills May 7 · Oct 11
- Allegany May 7 · Oct 11
- Portville May 7 · Oct 11
- Hinsdale May 7 · Oct 11
- Ceres May 7 · Oct 11
- Limestone May 12 · Oct 9
- Cuba May 7 · Oct 11
- West Clarksville May 4 · Oct 14
- Little Genesee May 4 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Olean, NY?
The median last spring frost in Olean, NY is May 7. 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 Olean, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Olean, NY?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Olean, NY?
Olean, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.