Frost dates for 14622 — Rochester, NY
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Rochester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rochester falls between April 18 and May 16, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 69% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 138 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 112 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 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 Rochester, NY
Frost dates for 14622 — Rochester, NY — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rochester, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Webster 2 Ne, NY weather station, 14 km away (elevation 276 ft (84 m)).
ZIP codes in Rochester: 14602 14603 14604 14605 14606 14607 14608 14609 14610 14611 14612 14613 14614 14615 14616 14617 14618 14619 14620 14621 14622 14623 14624 14625 14626 14627 14638 14639 14642 14643 14644 14646 14647 14649 14650 14651 14652 14653 14692 14694
Frost dates near Rochester
- Webster May 1 · Oct 20
- Penfield May 1 · Oct 20
- East Rochester May 2 · Oct 17
- Union Hill May 1 · Oct 20
- North Greece Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Pittsford May 2 · Oct 17
- Fairport May 2 · Oct 17
- Henrietta Apr 24 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rochester, NY?
The median last spring frost in Rochester, NY is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rochester, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Rochester, NY?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rochester, NY?
Rochester, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.