New York, New York: planting zone & frost dates
New York is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, where the average coldest winter night reaches 5 to 10°F (-15.0 to -12.2°C). The typical last spring frost is around Apr 4 and the first fall frost around Nov 13.
Frost dates
| Probability | Last spring frost (32°F) | First fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Safer (10% risk) | Apr 12 | Nov 6 |
| Typical planning date (30% risk) | Apr 4 | Nov 13 |
| Median (50%) | Apr 1 | Nov 19 |
How to read this: after the spring "10% risk" date, a 32°F frost happens in only about 1 year in 10. In fall, the "10% risk" date is the early end — a frost before it happens about 1 year in 10.
Frost data comes from NOAA station NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY (USC00305796), 5.2 mi (8.4 km) from the city center and 36 ft lower than the city center (-11 m). Record used for the 1991–2020 normals: 16 years.
Why your yard may differ from the station: microclimates.
Hardiness zone across New York
All 202 ZIP codes covering New York are in zone 7b.
ZIP codes in New York and their zones
| ZIP | Zone | Share of city land |
|---|---|---|
| 10314 | 7b | 4.3% |
| 11234 | 7b | 2.5% |
| 10306 | 7b | 2.4% |
| 10309 | 7b | 2.4% |
| 11430 | 7b | 2.4% |
| 10312 | 7b | 2.3% |
| 10301 | 7b | 1.3% |
| 10305 | 7b | 1.3% |
| 10465 | 7b | 1.3% |
| 10304 | 7b | 1.2% |
| 11236 | 7b | 1.2% |
| 11385 | 7b | 1.2% |
| 10303 | 7b | 1.1% |
| 11434 | 7b | 1.1% |
| 10464 | 7b | 1.0% |
| 11413 | 7b | 1.0% |
| 10463 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11101 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11207 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11208 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11357 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11368 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 11691 | 7b | 0.9% |
| 10461 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 10467 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 10469 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11235 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11364 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11365 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11375 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11377 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11378 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 11414 | 7b | 0.8% |
| 10308 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 10466 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 10473 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11203 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11209 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11214 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11215 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11223 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11229 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11354 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11358 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11362 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11379 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11420 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11422 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11432 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 11697 | 7b | 0.7% |
| 10310 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 10471 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11220 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11230 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11238 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11239 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11355 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11361 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11367 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11418 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 11694 | 7b | 0.6% |
| 10035 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10307 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10460 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10462 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10470 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10474 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11105 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11201 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11204 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11206 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11210 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11211 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11212 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11218 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11219 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11221 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11222 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11224 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11228 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11231 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11356 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11360 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11366 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11370 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11373 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11412 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11423 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11426 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11427 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11433 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 11435 | 7b | 0.5% |
| 10029 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10302 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10451 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10454 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10456 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10457 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10458 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10472 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10475 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11205 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11213 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11226 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11232 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11233 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11369 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11371 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11411 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11417 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11419 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11421 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 11429 | 7b | 0.4% |
| 10002 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10023 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10024 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10025 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10027 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10034 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10452 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10453 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10459 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10468 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11004 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11106 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11216 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11225 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11237 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11363 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11374 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11428 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11436 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11692 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 11693 | 7b | 0.3% |
| 10001 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10003 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10004 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10009 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10011 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10013 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10014 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10016 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10019 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10031 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10032 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10033 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10040 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10128 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10455 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11102 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11103 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11217 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11249 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11372 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11415 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 11416 | 7b | 0.2% |
| 10010 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10012 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10017 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10018 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10021 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10022 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10026 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10028 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10030 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10036 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10038 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10065 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10075 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 11005 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 11104 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 11359 | 7b | 0.1% |
| 10005 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10103 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10110 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10111 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10112 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10115 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10119 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10152 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10153 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10154 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10162 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10165 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10167 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10169 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10170 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10171 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10172 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10173 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10174 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10177 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10199 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10271 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10278 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10279 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10280 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10282 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 10311 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 11424 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 11439 | 7b | 0.0% |
| 11451 | 7b | 0.0% |
Vegetable planting calendar for New York
Dates are counted from the 30%-risk frost dates above (last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 13). Shift a week later in cold spots or low-lying ground.
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop sow/plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Pepper | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Carrot | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Onion | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Potato | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 18 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
Nearby cities in New York
- Yonkers — zone 7b, last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 19
- New Rochelle — zone 7b, last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 9
- Albany — zone 6a, last frost May 2, first frost Oct 9
- Syracuse — zone 6a, last frost May 5, first frost Oct 11
- Rochester — zone 6b, last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 18
- Buffalo — zone 6b, last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 19
More: all New York cities · other zone 7b cities: Philadelphia, PA, Oklahoma City, OK, Nashville, TN, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Albuquerque, NM, Tulsa, OK, Newark, NJ
New York gardening questions
When is the last frost in New York, NY?
Plan around Apr 4. At NOAA's NY Ave V Brooklyn, NY station, 5.2 mi from the city center, there is a 30% chance of a 32°F frost after that date. Half of springs have their last frost by Apr 1, and after Apr 12 the risk drops to about 1 in 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends earlier, around Mar 19. The last frost is fairly predictable here: only 27 days separate the 90% and 10% dates (median for cities on this site: 36 days).
When should I plant tomatoes in New York, NY?
Start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside Apr 11 – Apr 25, once nights stay above 50°F and the soil is near 60°F. That leaves 223 days between the 30% frost dates, enough for most varieties including 80–85-day slicers. More: tomato planting dates by zone.
How long is the growing season in New York?
About 233 days without a 32°F frost in a typical (median) year. In 9 years out of 10 the season lasts at least 215 days, and in 1 year in 10 it runs 255 days or more. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost by Nov 6 and a 30% chance by Nov 13. That is the longest of the 7 New York cities on this site.
When should I plant a fall garden in New York?
Count back from the first fall frost (Nov 13): transplant broccoli Aug 21 – Sep 4; sow kale Sep 4 – Oct 2; sow lettuce Sep 4 – Oct 2; sow radishes Oct 2 – Oct 30. Hardy crops keep growing through light frosts; the median 28°F hard freeze here is Dec 1. How the math works: succession and fall planting.
Did New York's hardiness zone change on the 2023 map?
No. Going by the zone that covers most of the city's land, New York is zone 7b on both the 2012 and the 2023 USDA maps (PRISM/OSU ZIP listings). About 42% of U.S. ZIP codes kept their half-zone in 2023. Why the 2023 map is warmer.
How does New York compare with Jersey City, NJ?
Both are in zone 7b. The typical last spring frost in New York (Apr 4) comes about 4 days earlier than in Jersey City, NJ (Apr 8), 7 miles away, and the first fall frost is Nov 13 versus Nov 1. The two cities use different NOAA stations.