New York City, NY Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every New York City garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
235 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
7b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 14 Mar 30 Apr 9
First fall frost Dec 6 Nov 20 Nov 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 19 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NEW York Cntrl Pk Twr station (8 km from central New York City). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for New York City

Computed from New York City's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 2 – Feb 16 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫑 Peppers Jan 19 – Feb 2 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🥬 Lettuce Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 30
🫛 Peas Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥕 Carrots Mar 9 – Mar 30
🥦 Broccoli Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥬 Kale Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥒 Zucchini Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌿 Basil Feb 16 – Mar 2 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 9 – Nov 6

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use New York City's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in New York City

With roughly 235 frost-free days, New York City gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 20 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in New York City, NY?

The average last spring frost in New York City is around Mar 30, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in New York City, NY?

The average first fall frost in New York City arrives around Nov 20. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in New York City?

About 235 frost-free days on average, from Mar 30 to Nov 20. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is New York City in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.