Sterling, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Sterling compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sterling falls between April 9 and May 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 190-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 119 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Clay, NY, 44 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 30 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Sterling, NY
Sterling, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 29, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sterling, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Oswego, NY weather station, 17 km away (elevation 325 ft (99 m)).
Frost dates near Sterling
- Martville Apr 27 · Oct 24
- Hannibal Apr 27 · Oct 24
- Red Creek Apr 27 · Oct 24
- Wolcott May 6 · Oct 10
- Minetto Apr 22 · Oct 29
- Cato Apr 27 · Oct 24
- Oswego Apr 22 · Oct 29
- Meridian Apr 27 · Oct 24
- Fulton Apr 27 · Oct 24
- South Butler May 6 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sterling, NY?
The median last spring frost in Sterling, NY is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sterling, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Sterling, NY?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sterling, NY?
Sterling, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.