Rome, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season160 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Rome compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rome falls between April 22 and May 20, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 160-day growing season is longer than 44% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Utica, NY, 22 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Rome, NY
Rome, NY frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 13, zone 5b. 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 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
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 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
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 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rome, 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 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| 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 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 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 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Rome Griffiss Airfield, NY weather station, 3 km away (elevation 518 ft (158 m)).
ZIP codes in Rome: 13440 13441 13442 13449
Frost dates near Rome
- Lee Center May 6 · Oct 13
- Oriskany May 1 · Oct 13
- Stittville May 6 · Oct 13
- Verona May 1 · Oct 13
- Ava May 10 · Oct 4
- Westmoreland May 1 · Oct 13
- Marcy May 1 · Oct 13
- Clark Mills May 1 · Oct 13
- Westernville May 10 · Oct 4
- Holland Patent May 4 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rome, NY?
The median last spring frost in Rome, NY is May 6. 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 Rome, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Rome, NY?
About 160 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rome, NY?
Rome, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.