Frost dates for 14902 — Elmira, NY
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season158 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Elmira compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elmira falls between April 24 and May 21, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 158-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 111 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Elmira, NY
Frost dates for 14902 — Elmira, NY — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 11, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elmira, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Elmira, NY weather station, 9 km away (elevation 948 ft (289 m)).
ZIP codes in Elmira: 14901 14902 14903 14904 14905
Frost dates near Elmira
- Breesport May 6 · Oct 11
- Erin May 6 · Oct 11
- Horseheads May 9 · Oct 9
- Lowman May 6 · Oct 11
- Wellsburg May 6 · Oct 11
- Pine Valley May 9 · Oct 9
- Millport May 9 · Oct 9
- Cayuta May 10 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elmira, NY?
The median last spring frost in Elmira, NY is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elmira, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Elmira, NY?
About 158 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elmira, NY?
Elmira, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.