Frost Dates for Oneonta, NY 13820

Last spring frost May 21 · First fall frost September 25 · 127 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b

ZIP 13820 has about 23,100 people.

Moderate season: 127 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 6–June 6 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 14–October 9 (25 days).

Frost probability for 13820

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)June 6May 21May 6
Fall (first frost)September 14September 25October 9

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COOPERSTOWN (28.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 127-day season in Oneonta

In Oneonta (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 16Jun 4–Jun 1185fits: 80 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4.—
PepperApr 9Jun 4–Jun 1185fits: 75 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4.—
LettuceMar 26Apr 23–Apr 30162two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.Aug 4
Carrots—Apr 30–May 7169fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30.Jul 24
CucumberApr 30Jun 4–Jun 1199fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 4.Jun 29
Beans—May 28–Jun 11113fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28.Jul 6
Peas—Mar 26–Jun 4190fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Mar 26.Jul 15
ZucchiniMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1199fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 4.Jul 4
OnionFeb 26Apr 23–May 7162fits: 100 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23.—
Spinach—Mar 26–May 14204two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 23
KaleMar 12Apr 23–May 7176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 8
BroccoliMar 26Apr 23–May 7162fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23.Jun 30
CabbageMar 26Apr 23–May 7176fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 23.Jul 24
Radish—Mar 26–Jun 18190two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2.Aug 24
Beets—Mar 26–Jun 18190two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 25
Potatoes—May 7–May 14148fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 7.—
Garlic—Sep 25232overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer.Oct 16
Strawberry—Apr 16–Jun 11183perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 23May 28–Jun 499fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after May 28.Jun 7
PumpkinMay 7Jun 4–Jun 492head-start: Even planted out Jun 4, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CauliflowerApr 9May 14–May 28141fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 14.Jul 5
Swiss ChardMar 26May 7–May 7148two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 25
Arugula—Mar 26–Jun 18204two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 23
Brussel SproutsMar 26Apr 23–May 7176fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 23.Jun 24
Butternut SquashMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1192head-start: Even planted out Jun 4, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
EggplantApr 2Jun 4–Jun 1185fits: 70 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4.Jun 5
OkraApr 23May 28–Jun 4106fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after May 28.Jul 4
BasilApr 16Jun 11–Jun 1192fits: 60 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 11.Jun 29
Cilantro—Apr 23–May 14162two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 30
ParsleyMar 12May 28–Jun 4127fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 28.Jul 10
CeleryMar 12May 28–Jun 11127fits: 120 days to maturity, 127 available after May 28.—
ScallionsMar 12Apr 23–May 7176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 3
Turnip—Apr 23–May 7176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 13
Kohlrabi—Apr 9–Apr 23190two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 8
Bok ChoyApr 23May 14–May 21141two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.Aug 4
CollardsMar 12Apr 23–May 7176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 3
CantaloupeMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1185fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4.—
ChivesFeb 26May 28–Jun 4141fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 28.—
Dill—Mar 26–Jun 18190two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 25
OreganoMar 12May 28–Jun 4141fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 28.—
RosemaryFeb 26May 28–Jun 4127fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 28.—
SageMar 26May 28–Jun 4141fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 28.—
ThymeMar 12May 28–Jun 4141fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 28.—
CalendulaApr 9May 7–May 21148two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 30
CosmosApr 23May 21–Jun 4113fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 29
LavenderFeb 26May 21–Jun 4148fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 21.—
MarigoldsApr 9May 21–May 28113fits: 50 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jul 9
MelonsMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1185fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4.—
Mint—May 21–Jun 4148fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 21.—
NasturtiumsApr 23May 21–May 28113fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jul 4
Pole Beans—May 28–Jun 11106fits: 65 days to maturity, 106 available after May 28.Jun 24
Spaghetti SquashMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1192fits: 90 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 4.—
Sunflowers—May 21–Jun 4113fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 19
TomatillosMar 26May 28–Jun 492fits: 75 days to maturity, 92 available after May 28.May 31
WatermelonMay 7May 28–Jun 492fits: 80 days to maturity, 92 available after May 28.—
Yellow SquashMay 7Jun 4–Jun 1199fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 4.Jul 4
ZinniasApr 23May 21–Jun 4113fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 29

Month by month in Oneonta

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 26), Lavender (Feb 26), Onion (Feb 26), Rosemary (Feb 26).
MarchStart indoors: Celery (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Oregano (Mar 12), Parsley (Mar 12), Scallions (Mar 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 26), Beets (Mar 26), Dill (Mar 26), Peas (Mar 26), Radish (Mar 26), Spinach (Mar 26).
AprilStart indoors: Eggplant (Apr 2), Calendula (Apr 9), Cauliflower (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Pepper (Apr 9), Basil (Apr 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 9), Cilantro (Apr 23), Turnip (Apr 23), Carrots (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 23), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 23), Cabbage (Apr 23), Collards (Apr 23), Kale (Apr 23), Lettuce (Apr 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 16).
MayStart indoors: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pumpkin (May 7), Spaghetti Squash (May 7), Watermelon (May 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 7), Sunflowers (May 21), Beans (May 28), Pole Beans (May 28). Transplant from: Calendula (May 7), Swiss Chard (May 7), Bok Choy (May 14), Cauliflower (May 14), Cosmos (May 21), Lavender (May 21), +15 more. Last frost around May 21. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 31).
JuneTransplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Cucumber (Jun 4), Eggplant (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Pepper (Jun 4), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 7), Sunflowers (Jun 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 24), Pole Beans (Jun 24), Basil (Jun 29), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 4), Okra (Jul 4), Yellow Squash (Jul 4), Zucchini (Jul 4), Cauliflower (Jul 5), Beans (Jul 6), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Collards (Aug 3), Scallions (Aug 3), Bok Choy (Aug 4), Lettuce (Aug 4), Kale (Aug 8), Kohlrabi (Aug 8), +4 more.
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 25). First frost around September 25.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 16).
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 Oneonta, NY (ZIP 13820)?

The median last spring frost date for Oneonta, NY (ZIP code 13820) is around May 21. 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 May 6; one in ten it runs past June 6.

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

The median first fall frost date for Oneonta, NY is around September 25. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Oneonta, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Oneonta is about 127 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 Oneonta (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Oneonta, NY?

Oneonta, 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 Oneonta, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 16 and plant out Jun 4 in Oneonta. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Oneonta?

Two: plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.

When do I plant garlic in Oneonta?

Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I grow Butternut Squash in Oneonta?

Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 4, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Bainbridge (ZIP 13733) has 136 frost-free days, 9 more than Oneonta (ZIP 13820). See Bainbridge ZIP 13733 frost dates

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