Frost dates for 12302 — Schenectady, NY
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season153 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Schenectady compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Schenectady falls between April 22 and May 23, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 153-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 154 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albany, NY, 31 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Schenectady, NY
Frost dates for 12302 — Schenectady, NY — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 7, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Schenectady, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Delanson 2ne, NY weather station, 19 km away (elevation 984 ft (300 m)).
ZIP codes in Schenectady: 12301 12302 12303 12304 12305 12306 12307 12308 12309 12325 12345
Frost dates near Schenectady
- Rotterdam Junction May 7 · Oct 7
- Alplaus Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Burnt Hills May 2 · Oct 7
- Rexford Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Pattersonville May 7 · Oct 7
- Ballston Lake May 2 · Oct 7
- Duanesburg May 7 · Oct 7
- Galway May 2 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Schenectady, NY?
The median last spring frost in Schenectady, NY is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Schenectady, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Schenectady, NY?
About 153 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Schenectady, NY?
Schenectady, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.