Frost Dates for Rome, NY 13440
Last spring frost May 15 · First fall frost October 2 · 140 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 13440 has about 41,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Rome.
Moderate season: 140 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–June 1 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 15 (26 days).
Frost probability for 13440
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 1 | May 15 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | October 2 | October 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BOONVILLE 4 SSW (25.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Rome, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13440 | May 15 | October 2 | 5b |
| 13441 | May 15 | October 2 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 140-day season in Rome
In Rome (140 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 10 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Apr 3 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 24. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 112 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 29. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 22. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Mar 20–May 29 | 203 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 20. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 29. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Feb 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 175 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 20–May 8 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 17. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | May 1–May 8 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 245 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 10–Jun 5 | 196 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 22. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | May 1 | May 29–May 29 | 105 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 | May 8–May 22 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after May 8. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 20 | May 1–May 1 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 17. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 22. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after Jun 5. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 17–May 8 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 22. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Mar 6 | May 22–Jun 5 | 140 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 140 available after May 22. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | — |
| Chives | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 22. | — |
| Sage | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after May 22. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 22. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Feb 20 | May 15–May 29 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 3 | May 15–May 22 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | — |
| Mint | — | May 15–May 29 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 119 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 119 available after May 22. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 15–May 29 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 22. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 105 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 105 available after May 22. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 29. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Rome
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 20), Lavender (Feb 20), Onion (Feb 20), Rosemary (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), Scallions (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 20), Beets (Mar 20), Dill (Mar 20), Peas (Mar 20), Radish (Mar 20), Spinach (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), Basil (Apr 10), Tomato (Apr 10), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 3), Cilantro (Apr 17), Turnip (Apr 17), Carrots (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 17), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 17), Cabbage (Apr 17), Collards (Apr 17), Kale (Apr 17), Lettuce (Apr 17), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 10). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pumpkin (May 1), Spaghetti Squash (May 1), Watermelon (May 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 1), Sunflowers (May 15), Beans (May 22), Pole Beans (May 22). Transplant from: Calendula (May 1), Swiss Chard (May 1), Bok Choy (May 8), Cauliflower (May 8), Cosmos (May 15), Lavender (May 15), +26 more. Last frost around May 15. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 28), Spaghetti Squash (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 5). Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 7), Tomatillos (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 12), Corn (Jun 14), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 1), Pole Beans (Jul 1), Basil (Jul 6), Cosmos (Jul 6), Cucumber (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beets (Aug 1), Dill (Aug 1), Swiss Chard (Aug 1), Calendula (Aug 6), Cilantro (Aug 6), Collards (Aug 10), +9 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 2). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 2). First frost around October 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 23). |
| 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 Rome, NY (ZIP 13440)?
The median last spring frost date for Rome, NY (ZIP code 13440) is around May 15. 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 June 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Rome, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Rome, NY is around October 2. 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rome, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Rome is about 140 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 Rome (140 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 Rome, NY?
Rome, 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 Rome, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 10 and plant out May 29 in Rome. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rome?
Two: plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Rome?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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