Riverhead, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Riverhead compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Riverhead falls between March 27 and April 19, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 10 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Haven, CT, 46 km away, the last frost here is 11 days earlier than there and the growing season is 24 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Riverhead, NY
Riverhead, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Nov 9, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Riverhead, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 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 Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY weather station, 7 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
Frost dates near Riverhead
- Aquebogue Apr 6 · Nov 9
- South Jamesport Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Jamesport Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Calverton Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Laurel Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Westhampton Beach May 7 · Oct 14
- East Quogue May 7 · Oct 14
- Westhampton May 7 · Oct 14
- Quogue May 7 · Oct 14
- Mattituck Apr 19 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Riverhead, NY?
The median last spring frost in Riverhead, NY is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Riverhead, NY?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Riverhead, NY?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Riverhead, NY?
Riverhead, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.