Frost Dates for Delmar, NY 12054

Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 3 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 12054 has about 17,400 people.

Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 15 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 14 (21 days).

Frost probability for 12054

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 15May 3April 21
Fall (first frost)September 23October 3October 14

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HUDSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (40.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 153-day season in Delmar

In Delmar (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 29May 17–May 24111fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 17.Jun 3
PepperMar 22May 17–May 24111fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 17.Jun 8
LettuceMar 8Apr 5–Apr 12188two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 12
Carrots—Apr 12–Apr 19195fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 12.Aug 1
CucumberApr 12May 17–May 24125fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 17.Jul 7
Beans—May 10–May 24139two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 14
Peas—Mar 8–May 17216fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 8.Jul 23
ZucchiniApr 19May 17–May 24125two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 12
OnionFeb 8Apr 5–Apr 19188fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 5.—
Spinach—Mar 8–Apr 26230two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 31
KaleFeb 22Apr 5–Apr 19202two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
BroccoliMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19188fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 5.Jul 8
CabbageMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19202fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 5.Aug 1
Radish—Mar 8–May 31216two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 10.Sep 1
Beets—Mar 8–May 31216two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 2
Potatoes—Apr 19–Apr 26174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 19.—
Garlic—Oct 3258overwinter: Plant Oct 3 to Oct 24; harvest the following summer.Oct 24
Strawberry—Mar 29–May 24209perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 5May 10–May 17125fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 10.Jun 15
PumpkinApr 19May 17–May 17118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17.May 21
CauliflowerMar 22Apr 26–May 10167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 26.Jul 13
Swiss ChardMar 8Apr 19–Apr 19174two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 2
Arugula—Mar 8–May 31230two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 31
Brussel SproutsMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19202fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 5.Jul 2
Butternut SquashApr 19May 17–May 24118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17.May 21
EggplantMar 15May 17–May 24111fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 17.Jun 13
OkraApr 5May 10–May 17132two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 12
BasilMar 29May 24–May 24118fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 24.Jul 7
Cilantro—Apr 5–Apr 26188two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 7
ParsleyFeb 22May 10–May 17153fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 10.Jul 18
CeleryFeb 22May 10–May 24153fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 10.May 29
ScallionsFeb 22Apr 5–Apr 19202two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 11
Turnip—Apr 5–Apr 19202two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 21
Kohlrabi—Mar 22–Apr 5216two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
Bok ChoyApr 5Apr 26–May 3167two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 12
CollardsFeb 22Apr 5–Apr 19202two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 11
CantaloupeApr 19May 17–May 24111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 17.May 29
ChivesFeb 8May 10–May 17167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 10.—
Dill—Mar 8–May 31216two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 2
OreganoFeb 22May 10–May 17167fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 10.—
RosemaryFeb 8May 10–May 17153fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 10.—
SageMar 8May 10–May 17167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 10.—
ThymeFeb 22May 10–May 17167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 10.—
CalendulaMar 22Apr 19–May 3174two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 7
CosmosApr 5May 3–May 17139two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 7
LavenderFeb 8May 3–May 17174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 3.—
MarigoldsMar 22May 3–May 10139two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 17
MelonsApr 19May 17–May 24111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 17.May 29
Mint—May 3–May 17174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 3.—
NasturtiumsApr 5May 3–May 10139two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 12
Pole Beans—May 10–May 24132fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 10.Jul 2
Spaghetti SquashApr 19May 17–May 24118fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17.May 31
Sunflowers—May 3–May 17139fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 3.Jun 27
TomatillosMar 8May 10–May 17118fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 10.Jun 8
WatermelonApr 19May 10–May 17118fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 10.Jun 3
Yellow SquashApr 19May 17–May 24125two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 12
ZinniasApr 5May 3–May 17139two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19.Jul 7

Month by month in Delmar

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Onion (Feb 8), Rosemary (Feb 8), Celery (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), Sage (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 8), Beets (Mar 8), Dill (Mar 8), Peas (Mar 8), Radish (Mar 8), Spinach (Mar 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 29).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 5), Turnip (Apr 5), Carrots (Apr 12), Potatoes (Apr 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 5), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 5), Cabbage (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Lettuce (Apr 5), +6 more.
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 3), Beans (May 10), Pole Beans (May 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 3), Lavender (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Mint (May 3), Nasturtiums (May 3), Zinnias (May 3), +23 more. Last frost around May 3. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 21), Pumpkin (May 21), Cantaloupe (May 29), Celery (May 29), Melons (May 29), Spaghetti Squash (May 31).
JuneLast sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 3), Watermelon (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 8), Tomatillos (Jun 8), Eggplant (Jun 13), Corn (Jun 15), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2), Basil (Jul 7), Cosmos (Jul 7), Cucumber (Jul 7), Zinnias (Jul 7), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 1), Carrots (Aug 1), Beets (Aug 2), Dill (Aug 2), Swiss Chard (Aug 2), Calendula (Aug 7), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Radish (Sep 1).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 3). First frost around October 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 24).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Delmar, NY (ZIP 12054)?

The median last spring frost date for Delmar, NY (ZIP code 12054) is around May 3. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 21; one in ten it runs past May 15.

What is the first fall frost date in Delmar, NY?

The median first fall frost date for Delmar, NY is around October 3. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Delmar, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Delmar is about 153 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Delmar (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Delmar, NY?

Delmar, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Delmar, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Delmar. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Delmar?

Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.

When do I plant garlic in Delmar?

Oct 3 to Oct 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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