Frost Dates for Elmira, NY 14904
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost October 3 · 147 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 14904 has about 14,900 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Elmira.
Moderate season: 147 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 22 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 18 (29 days).
Frost probability for 14904
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 22 | May 9 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | October 3 | October 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ELMIRA (4.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Elmira, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14904 | May 9 | October 3 | 6a |
| 14901 | May 9 | October 3 | 6a |
| 14905 | May 9 | October 3 | 6a |
| 14903 | May 17 | September 30 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 147-day season in Elmira
In Elmira (147 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 4 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 3 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 8 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 18. | Aug 1 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 23. | Jul 7 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16. | Jul 14 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 210 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 14. | Jul 23 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 23. | Jul 12 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 11. | Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 11. | Aug 1 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 10. | Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 3 | 252 | overwinter: Plant Oct 3 to Oct 24; harvest the following summer. | Oct 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 203 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 16. | Jun 15 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 112 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after May 2. | Jul 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 11. | Jul 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 112 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 13 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 112 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 30. | Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 16. | Jul 18 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 147 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 147 available after May 16. | May 29 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | May 29 |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9. | Jul 7 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 17 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | May 29 |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 126 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jul 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 112 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | May 31 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9. | Jun 27 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16. | Jun 8 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16. | Jun 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 23. | Jul 12 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9. | Jul 7 |
Month by month in Elmira
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), Sage (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 14), Beets (Mar 14), Dill (Mar 14), Peas (Mar 14), Radish (Mar 14), Spinach (Mar 14), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 4), Tomato (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Corn (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 11), Nasturtiums (Apr 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 11), Turnip (Apr 11), Carrots (Apr 18), Potatoes (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 11), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 11), Cabbage (Apr 11), Collards (Apr 11), Kale (Apr 11), Lettuce (Apr 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 4). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 9), Beans (May 16), Pole Beans (May 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Cosmos (May 9), Lavender (May 9), Marigolds (May 9), Mint (May 9), +25 more. Last frost around May 9. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 29), Celery (May 29), Melons (May 29), Spaghetti Squash (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 3), Watermelon (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 8), Tomatillos (Jun 8), Eggplant (Jun 13), Corn (Jun 15), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2), Basil (Jul 7), Cosmos (Jul 7), Cucumber (Jul 7), Zinnias (Jul 7), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 1), Carrots (Aug 1), Beets (Aug 2), Dill (Aug 2), Swiss Chard (Aug 2), Calendula (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Radish (Sep 1). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 3). First frost around October 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 24). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean 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 Elmira, NY (ZIP 14904)?
The median last spring frost date for Elmira, NY (ZIP code 14904) is around May 9. 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 26; one in ten it runs past May 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Elmira, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Elmira, 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elmira, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Elmira is about 147 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 Elmira (147 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Elmira, NY?
Elmira, 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 Elmira, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Elmira. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elmira?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.
When do I plant garlic in Elmira?
Oct 3 to Oct 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Owego (ZIP 13827) has 155 frost-free days, 8 more than Elmira (ZIP 14904). See Owego ZIP 13827 frost dates
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