Spencer, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Spencer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Spencer falls between April 28 and May 27, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 144-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 93 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 29 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 Spencer, NY
Spencer, NY frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 3, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Spencer, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Spencer 1 Ne, NY weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,171 ft (357 m)).
Frost dates near Spencer
- Van Etten May 12 · Oct 3
- Willseyville May 12 · Oct 3
- Candor May 12 · Oct 3
- Lockwood May 6 · Oct 10
- Newfield May 11 · Oct 3
- Erin May 6 · Oct 11
- Cayuta May 10 · Oct 8
- Brooktondale May 11 · Oct 3
- Slaterville Springs May 11 · Oct 3
- Breesport May 6 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Spencer, NY?
The median last spring frost in Spencer, NY is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Spencer, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Spencer, NY?
About 144 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Spencer, NY?
Spencer, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.