Salem, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 30 and May 28, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Schenectady, NY, 65 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 32 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Salem, NY
Salem, NY frost dates — last frost May 13, first frost Sep 29, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Sunderland, VT weather station, 20 km away (elevation 899 ft (274 m)).
Frost dates near Salem
- Cossayuna May 9 · Sep 30
- Shushan May 13 · Sep 29
- Argyle May 9 · Sep 30
- Cambridge May 6 · Oct 6
- Greenwich May 6 · Oct 6
- Middle Falls May 6 · Oct 6
- Hartford May 9 · Sep 30
- Granville Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Fort Edward May 9 · Sep 30
- Eagle Bridge May 6 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, NY?
The median last spring frost in Salem, NY is May 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, NY?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Salem, NY?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, NY?
Salem, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.