Frost Dates for Ithaca, NY 14850
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 11 · 162 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 14850 has about 68,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Ithaca.
Moderate season: 162 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 16 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 27 (32 days).
Frost probability for 14850
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | May 2 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 11 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AURORA RSCH FARM (36.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Ithaca, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14850 | May 2 | October 11 | 6a |
| 14853 | May 2 | October 11 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 162-day season in Ithaca
In Ithaca (162 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 11. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 225 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 7. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 4. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 267 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 218 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 16. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 4. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 16. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 23. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after May 9. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 162 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 162 available after May 9. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 141 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 141 available after May 9. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after May 16. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after May 2. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 9. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in Ithaca
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 29), Pumpkin (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Celery (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 8), Tomato (Jun 11), Watermelon (Jun 11), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10), Basil (Jul 15), Cosmos (Jul 15), Cucumber (Jul 15), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 9), Carrots (Aug 9), Beets (Aug 10), Dill (Aug 10), Swiss Chard (Aug 10), Calendula (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 8), Spinach (Sep 8), Radish (Sep 9). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 11). First frost around October 11. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 1). |
| 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 Ithaca, NY (ZIP 14850)?
The median last spring frost date for Ithaca, NY (ZIP code 14850) is around May 2. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Ithaca, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Ithaca, NY is around October 11. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ithaca, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Ithaca is about 162 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 Ithaca (162 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ithaca, NY?
Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Ithaca. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ithaca?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in Ithaca?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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