Frost Dates for Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 9 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 12601 has about 44,200 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Poughkeepsie.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 14 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 24 (30 days).
Frost probability for 12601
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | May 3 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 9 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at POUGHKEEPSIE (2.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Poughkeepsie, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12601 | May 3 | October 9 | 6b |
| 12603 | May 3 | October 9 | 6b |
| 12604 | May 3 | October 9 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Poughkeepsie
In Poughkeepsie (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 22 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 12. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 17. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 8–May 17 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 8. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8–Apr 26 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 5. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 5. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 29–May 24 | 215 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 19 | May 17–May 17 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 17. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 10 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 26. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 5. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 17. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 29 | May 24–May 24 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 24. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 5–Apr 26 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 10. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 22 | May 10–May 24 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 10. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 10. | — |
| Sage | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 10. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 10. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 8 | May 3–May 17 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 22 | May 3–May 10 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 3–May 17 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 10. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 17. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 3–May 17 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 3. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Poughkeepsie
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Onion (Feb 8), Rosemary (Feb 8), Celery (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), Sage (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 8), Beets (Mar 8), Dill (Mar 8), Peas (Mar 8), Radish (Mar 8), Spinach (Mar 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 5), Turnip (Apr 5), Carrots (Apr 12), Potatoes (Apr 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 5), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 5), Cabbage (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Lettuce (Apr 5), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 3), Beans (May 10), Pole Beans (May 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 3), Lavender (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Mint (May 3), Nasturtiums (May 3), Zinnias (May 3), +23 more. Last frost around May 3. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| 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 Poughkeepsie, NY (ZIP 12601)?
The median last spring frost date for Poughkeepsie, NY (ZIP code 12601) is around May 3. 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 20; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Poughkeepsie, NY is around October 9. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Poughkeepsie is about 159 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 Poughkeepsie (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Poughkeepsie, NY?
Poughkeepsie, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Poughkeepsie, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Poughkeepsie. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Poughkeepsie?
Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Poughkeepsie?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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