Frost dates for 12601 — Poughkeepsie, NY
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Poughkeepsie compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Poughkeepsie falls between April 6 and May 4, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 76% 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 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Danbury, CT, 55 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Poughkeepsie, NY
Frost dates for 12601 — Poughkeepsie, NY — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Poughkeepsie, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Poughkeepsie, NY weather station, 3 km away (elevation 253 ft (77 m)).
ZIP codes in Poughkeepsie: 12601 12602 12603 12604
Frost dates near Poughkeepsie
- Highland Apr 21 · Oct 21
- Milton Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Pleasant Valley May 4 · Oct 7
- Hyde Park Apr 21 · Oct 21
- West Park Apr 21 · Oct 21
- Wappingers Falls Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Clintondale Apr 21 · Oct 21
- Marlboro Apr 30 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median last spring frost in Poughkeepsie, NY is April 21. 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 Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Poughkeepsie, NY?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Poughkeepsie, NY?
Poughkeepsie, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.