Surprise, NY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Surprise compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Surprise falls between April 15 and May 13, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 60% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albany, NY, 34 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Surprise, NY
Surprise, NY frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 14, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Surprise, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Cairo 3 Nw, NY weather station, 10 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Surprise
- Earlton Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Greenville May 3 · Oct 12
- Alcove May 3 · Oct 12
- Freehold Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Leeds Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Climax May 3 · Oct 12
- Cairo Apr 29 · Oct 14
- West Coxsackie May 3 · Oct 12
- Coeymans Hollow May 3 · Oct 12
- Coxsackie Apr 25 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Surprise, NY?
The median last spring frost in Surprise, NY is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Surprise, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Surprise, NY?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Surprise, NY?
Surprise, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.