Frost Dates for Johnstown, NY 12095

Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost September 28 · 142 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b

ZIP 12095 has about 12,400 people.

Moderate season: 142 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 21 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans September 17–October 11 (24 days).

Frost probability for 12095

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 21May 9April 28
Fall (first frost)September 17September 28October 11

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LITTLE FALLS CITY RSCH (37.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 142-day season in Johnstown

In Johnstown (142 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 4May 23–May 30100fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23.May 29
PepperMar 28May 23–May 30100fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23.Jun 3
LettuceMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18177two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.Aug 7
Carrots—Apr 18–Apr 25184fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18.Jul 27
CucumberApr 18May 23–May 30114fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23.Jul 2
Beans—May 16–May 30128fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16.Jul 9
Peas—Mar 14–May 23205fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 14.Jul 18
ZucchiniApr 25May 23–May 30114fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23.Jul 7
OnionFeb 14Apr 11–Apr 25177fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11.—
Spinach—Mar 14–May 2219two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 26
KaleFeb 28Apr 11–Apr 25191two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 11
BroccoliMar 14Apr 11–Apr 25177fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11.Jul 3
CabbageMar 14Apr 11–Apr 25191fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11.Jul 27
Radish—Mar 14–Jun 6205two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5.Aug 27
Beets—Mar 14–Jun 6205two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5.Jul 28
Potatoes—Apr 25–May 2163fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 25.—
Garlic—Sep 28247overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer.Oct 19
Strawberry—Apr 4–May 30198perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 11May 16–May 23114fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16.Jun 10
PumpkinApr 25May 23–May 23107fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23.—
CauliflowerMar 28May 2–May 16156fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 2.Jul 8
Swiss ChardMar 14Apr 25–Apr 25163two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5.Jul 28
Arugula—Mar 14–Jun 6219two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 26
Brussel SproutsMar 14Apr 11–Apr 25191fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11.Jun 27
Butternut SquashApr 25May 23–May 30107fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23.—
EggplantMar 21May 23–May 30100fits: 70 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23.Jun 8
OkraApr 11May 16–May 23121fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16.Jul 7
BasilApr 4May 30–May 30107fits: 60 days to maturity, 107 available after May 30.Jul 2
Cilantro—Apr 11–May 2177two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5.Aug 2
ParsleyFeb 28May 16–May 23142fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16.Jul 13
CeleryFeb 28May 16–May 30142fits: 120 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16.May 24
ScallionsFeb 28Apr 11–Apr 25191two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 6
Turnip—Apr 11–Apr 25191two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 16
Kohlrabi—Mar 28–Apr 11205two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 11
Bok ChoyApr 11May 2–May 9156two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.Aug 7
CollardsFeb 28Apr 11–Apr 25191two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 6
CantaloupeApr 25May 23–May 30100fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23.May 24
ChivesFeb 14May 16–May 23156fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16.—
Dill—Mar 14–Jun 6205two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5.Jul 28
OreganoFeb 28May 16–May 23156fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16.—
RosemaryFeb 14May 16–May 23142fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 16.—
SageMar 14May 16–May 23156fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16.—
ThymeFeb 28May 16–May 23156fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 16.—
CalendulaMar 28Apr 25–May 9163two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5.Aug 2
CosmosApr 11May 9–May 23128fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9.Jul 2
LavenderFeb 14May 9–May 23163fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9.—
MarigoldsMar 28May 9–May 16128two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 14.Jul 12
MelonsApr 25May 23–May 30100fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 23.May 24
Mint—May 9–May 23163fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 9.—
NasturtiumsApr 11May 9–May 16128two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 14.Jul 7
Pole Beans—May 16–May 30121fits: 65 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16.Jun 27
Spaghetti SquashApr 25May 23–May 30107fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after May 23.May 26
Sunflowers—May 9–May 23128fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9.Jun 22
TomatillosMar 14May 16–May 23107fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 16.Jun 3
WatermelonApr 25May 16–May 23107fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after May 16.May 29
Yellow SquashApr 25May 23–May 30114fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 23.Jul 7
ZinniasApr 11May 9–May 23128fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9.Jul 2

Month by month in Johnstown

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more.
MarchStart 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.
AprilStart 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).
MayDirect 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 24), Celery (May 24), Melons (May 24), Spaghetti Squash (May 26), Tomato (May 29), Watermelon (May 29).
JuneLast sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 3), Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more.
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19).
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 Johnstown, NY (ZIP 12095)?

The median last spring frost date for Johnstown, NY (ZIP code 12095) 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 28; one in ten it runs past May 21.

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

The median first fall frost date for Johnstown, NY is around September 28. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Johnstown, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Johnstown is about 142 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 Johnstown (142 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 Johnstown, NY?

Johnstown, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 Johnstown, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Johnstown. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Johnstown?

Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.

When do I plant garlic in Johnstown?

Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Ballston Spa (ZIP 12020) has 150 frost-free days, 8 more than Johnstown (ZIP 12095). See Ballston Spa ZIP 12020 frost dates

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