Frost dates for 13603 — Watertown, NY
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Watertown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watertown falls between April 20 and May 17, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Clay, NY, 85 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Watertown, NY
Frost dates for 13603 — Watertown, NY — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 13, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watertown, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Watertown, NY weather station, 8 km away (elevation 499 ft (152 m)).
ZIP codes in Watertown: 13601 13603
Frost dates near Watertown
- Rodman May 2 · Oct 13
- Adams Center May 11 · Oct 1
- Brownville May 11 · Oct 1
- Black River May 2 · Oct 13
- Calcium May 2 · Oct 13
- Adams May 11 · Oct 1
- Lorraine May 2 · Oct 13
- Felts Mills May 2 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watertown, NY?
The median last spring frost in Watertown, NY is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Watertown, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Watertown, NY?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watertown, NY?
Watertown, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.