Frost dates for 14694 — Rochester, NY
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Rochester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rochester falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 184-day growing season is longer than 77% 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 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 105 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 14694 — Rochester, NY — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 25, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rochester, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, NY weather station, 19 km away (elevation 535 ft (163 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
- North Greece Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Hilton Apr 24 · Oct 30
- Spencerport Apr 24 · Oct 30
- Adams Basin Apr 24 · Oct 30
- Webster May 1 · Oct 20
- Hamlin Apr 24 · Oct 30
- Clarkson Apr 24 · Oct 30
- North Chili Apr 24 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rochester, NY?
The median last spring frost in Rochester, NY is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, 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 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Rochester, NY?
About 184 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.