Southold, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season196 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Southold compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Southold falls between April 5 and May 4, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 196-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with New Haven, CT, 51 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Southold, NY
Southold, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Nov 1, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Southold, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Mattituck, NY weather station, 10 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Southold
- Peconic Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Cutchogue Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Shelter Island Heights Apr 6 · Nov 17
- Greenport Apr 6 · Nov 17
- Shelter Island Apr 6 · Nov 17
- New Suffolk Apr 19 · Nov 1
- East Marion Apr 6 · Nov 17
- Mattituck Apr 19 · Nov 1
- Sag Harbor Apr 23 · Oct 24
- Laurel Apr 19 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Southold, NY?
The median last spring frost in Southold, NY is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Southold, NY?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Southold, NY?
About 196 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Southold, NY?
Southold, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.