Frost dates for 14903 — Elmira, NY
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season153 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Elmira compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elmira falls between April 26 and May 24, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 153-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 119 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 14903 — Elmira, NY — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 9, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
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 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Corning Rgnl Ap, NY weather station, 4 km away (elevation 955 ft (291 m)).
ZIP codes in Elmira: 14901 14902 14903 14904 14905
Frost dates near Elmira
- Big Flats May 9 · Oct 9
- Horseheads May 9 · Oct 9
- Pine City May 6 · Oct 11
- Pine Valley May 9 · Oct 9
- Corning May 17 · Oct 2
- Wellsburg May 6 · Oct 11
- Breesport May 6 · Oct 11
- Millport May 9 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elmira, NY?
The median last spring frost in Elmira, NY is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, 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 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Elmira, NY?
About 153 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elmira, NY?
Elmira, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.