Frost Dates for Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Last spring frost May 12 · First fall frost October 1 · 142 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 12901 has about 31,400 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Plattsburgh.
Moderate season: 142 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 25 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 11 (20 days).
Frost probability for 12901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 25 | May 12 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 1 | October 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PERU 2 WSW (17.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Plattsburgh, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12901 | May 12 | October 1 | 5a |
| 12903 | May 12 | October 1 | 5a |
Which crops fit a 142-day season in Plattsburgh
In Plattsburgh (142 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 7 | May 26–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 26. | Jun 1 |
| Pepper | Mar 31 | May 26–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 26. | Jun 6 |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 21. | Jul 30 |
| Cucumber | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 26. | Jul 5 |
| Beans | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jul 12 |
| Peas | — | Mar 17–May 26 | 205 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 17. | Jul 21 |
| Zucchini | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 26. | Jul 10 |
| Onion | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 17–May 5 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 14. | Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 14. | Jul 30 |
| Radish | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 28–May 5 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 1 | 247 | overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer. | Oct 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 7–Jun 2 | 198 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 19. | Jun 13 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 28 | May 26–May 26 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 26. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 31 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 5. | Jul 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 17 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 14. | Jun 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 107 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 107 available after May 26. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 100 available after May 26. | Jun 11 |
| Okra | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 19. | Jul 10 |
| Basil | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 107 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 2. | Jul 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 14–May 5 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Parsley | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 19. | Jul 16 |
| Celery | Mar 3 | May 19–Jun 2 | 142 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 142 available after May 19. | May 27 |
| Scallions | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Collards | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 26. | May 27 |
| Chives | Feb 17 | May 19–May 26 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 19. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Oregano | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 19. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 17 | May 19–May 26 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 19. | — |
| Sage | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after May 19. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 19. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cosmos | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | Jul 5 |
| Lavender | Feb 17 | May 12–May 26 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 12. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 31 | May 12–May 19 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Melons | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 100 available after May 26. | May 27 |
| Mint | — | May 12–May 26 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 12. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 121 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 121 available after May 19. | Jun 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after May 26. | May 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 12–May 26 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | Jun 25 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 107 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 19. | Jun 6 |
| Watermelon | Apr 28 | May 19–May 26 | 107 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after May 19. | Jun 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 26. | Jul 10 |
| Zinnias | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | Jul 5 |
Month by month in Plattsburgh
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 17), Lavender (Feb 17), Onion (Feb 17), Rosemary (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Oregano (Mar 3), Parsley (Mar 3), Scallions (Mar 3), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 17), Beets (Mar 17), Dill (Mar 17), Peas (Mar 17), Radish (Mar 17), Spinach (Mar 17), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 7), Tomato (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Corn (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 14), Nasturtiums (Apr 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 14), Turnip (Apr 14), Carrots (Apr 21), Potatoes (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 14), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 14), Cabbage (Apr 14), Collards (Apr 14), Kale (Apr 14), Lettuce (Apr 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 7). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 12), Beans (May 19), Pole Beans (May 19). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 5), Cauliflower (May 5), Cosmos (May 12), Lavender (May 12), Marigolds (May 12), Mint (May 12), +24 more. Last frost around May 12. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 27), Celery (May 27), Melons (May 27), Spaghetti Squash (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 2). Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 1), Watermelon (Jun 1), Pepper (Jun 6), Tomatillos (Jun 6), Eggplant (Jun 11), Corn (Jun 13), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 5), Cosmos (Jul 5), Cucumber (Jul 5), Zinnias (Jul 5), Broccoli (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 10), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 5), Cilantro (Aug 5), Collards (Aug 9), Scallions (Aug 9), Bok Choy (Aug 10), Lettuce (Aug 10), +6 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 1). First frost around October 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 22). |
| 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 Plattsburgh, NY (ZIP 12901)?
The median last spring frost date for Plattsburgh, NY (ZIP code 12901) is around May 12. 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 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Plattsburgh, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Plattsburgh, NY is around October 1. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Plattsburgh, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Plattsburgh 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 Plattsburgh (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 Plattsburgh, NY?
Plattsburgh, 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 Plattsburgh, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 7 and plant out May 26 in Plattsburgh. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Plattsburgh?
Two: plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.
When do I plant garlic in Plattsburgh?
Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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