Frost Dates for Glens Falls, NY 12801

Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost September 29 · 144 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a

ZIP 12801 has about 14,600 people.

Moderate season: 144 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 22 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 16–October 12 (26 days).

Frost probability for 12801

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 22May 8April 26
Fall (first frost)September 16September 29October 12

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GLENS FALLS AP (4.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 144-day season in Glens Falls

In Glens Falls (144 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 3May 22–May 29102fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 22.May 30
PepperMar 27May 22–May 29102fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 22.Jun 4
LettuceMar 13Apr 10–Apr 17179two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.Aug 8
Carrots—Apr 17–Apr 24186fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 17.Jul 28
CucumberApr 17May 22–May 29116fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22.Jul 3
Beans—May 15–May 29130fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15.Jul 10
Peas—Mar 13–May 22207fits: 65 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 13.Jul 19
ZucchiniApr 24May 22–May 29116fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22.Jul 8
OnionFeb 13Apr 10–Apr 24179fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10.—
Spinach—Mar 13–May 1221two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 27
KaleFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24193two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
BroccoliMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24179fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10.Jul 4
CabbageMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24193fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 10.Jul 28
Radish—Mar 13–Jun 5207two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 6.Aug 28
Beets—Mar 13–Jun 5207two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6.Jul 29
Potatoes—Apr 24–May 1165fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24.—
Garlic—Sep 29249overwinter: Plant Sep 29 to Oct 20; harvest the following summer.Oct 20
Strawberry—Apr 3–May 29200perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 10May 15–May 22116fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15.Jun 11
PumpkinApr 24May 22–May 22109fits: 100 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22.—
CauliflowerMar 27May 1–May 15158fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after May 1.Jul 9
Swiss ChardMar 13Apr 24–Apr 24165two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6.Jul 29
Arugula—Mar 13–Jun 5221two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 27
Brussel SproutsMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24193fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 10.Jun 28
Butternut SquashApr 24May 22–May 29109fits: 100 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22.—
EggplantMar 20May 22–May 29102fits: 70 days to maturity, 102 available after May 22.Jun 9
OkraApr 10May 15–May 22123fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15.Jul 8
BasilApr 3May 29–May 29109fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after May 29.Jul 3
Cilantro—Apr 10–May 1179two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6.Aug 3
ParsleyFeb 27May 15–May 22144fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 15.Jul 14
CeleryFeb 27May 15–May 29144fits: 120 days to maturity, 144 available after May 15.May 25
ScallionsFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24193two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
Turnip—Apr 10–Apr 24193two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 17
Kohlrabi—Mar 27–Apr 10207two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
Bok ChoyApr 10May 1–May 8158two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.Aug 8
CollardsFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24193two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
CantaloupeApr 24May 22–May 29102fits: 85 days to maturity, 102 available after May 22.May 25
ChivesFeb 13May 15–May 22158fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 15.—
Dill—Mar 13–Jun 5207two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6.Jul 29
OreganoFeb 27May 15–May 22158fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 15.—
RosemaryFeb 13May 15–May 22144fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 15.—
SageMar 13May 15–May 22158fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after May 15.—
ThymeFeb 27May 15–May 22158fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 15.—
CalendulaMar 27Apr 24–May 8165two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6.Aug 3
CosmosApr 10May 8–May 22130fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8.Jul 3
LavenderFeb 13May 8–May 22165fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 8.—
MarigoldsMar 27May 8–May 15130two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15.Jul 13
MelonsApr 24May 22–May 29102fits: 85 days to maturity, 102 available after May 22.May 25
Mint—May 8–May 22165fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 8.—
NasturtiumsApr 10May 8–May 15130two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15.Jul 8
Pole Beans—May 15–May 29123fits: 65 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15.Jun 28
Spaghetti SquashApr 24May 22–May 29109fits: 90 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22.May 27
Sunflowers—May 8–May 22130fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8.Jun 23
TomatillosMar 13May 15–May 22109fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 15.Jun 4
WatermelonApr 24May 15–May 22109fits: 80 days to maturity, 109 available after May 15.May 30
Yellow SquashApr 24May 22–May 29116fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22.Jul 8
ZinniasApr 10May 8–May 22130fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8.Jul 3

Month by month in Glens Falls

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 25), Celery (May 25), Melons (May 25), Spaghetti Squash (May 27), Tomato (May 30), Watermelon (May 30).
JuneLast sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 4), Tomatillos (Jun 4), Eggplant (Jun 9), Corn (Jun 11), Sunflowers (Jun 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 28), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Basil (Jul 3), Cosmos (Jul 3), Cucumber (Jul 3), Zinnias (Jul 3), Broccoli (Jul 4), Nasturtiums (Jul 8), +13 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 3), Cilantro (Aug 3), Collards (Aug 7), Scallions (Aug 7), Bok Choy (Aug 8), Lettuce (Aug 8), +6 more.
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 29). First frost around September 29.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 20).
NovemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.
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 Glens Falls, NY (ZIP 12801)?

The median last spring frost date for Glens Falls, NY (ZIP code 12801) is around May 8. 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 Glens Falls, NY?

The median first fall frost date for Glens Falls, NY is around September 29. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Glens Falls, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Glens Falls is about 144 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 Glens Falls (144 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Glens Falls, NY?

Glens Falls, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Glens Falls, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Glens Falls. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Glens Falls?

Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.

When do I plant garlic in Glens Falls?

Sep 29 to Oct 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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