Frost Dates for Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost November 1 · 202 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 11779 has about 38,200 people.
Long season: 202 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 28 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 15 (28 days).
Frost probability for 11779
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 13 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 1 | November 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RIVERHEAD RSCH FARM (37.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 202-day season in Ronkonkoma
In Ronkonkoma (202 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jul 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jul 7 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 23. | Aug 30 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 16. | Aug 21 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 16. | Aug 30 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 30 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 1 | 307 | overwinter: Plant Nov 1 to Nov 22; harvest the following summer. | Nov 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 258 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 20. | Jul 14 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 6. | Aug 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 16. | Jul 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jul 12 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | Aug 16 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 202 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | Jun 27 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jun 27 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jun 27 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 20. | Jul 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jun 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 13. | Jul 26 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 20. | Jul 7 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 20. | Jul 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
Month by month in Ronkonkoma
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 19), Pumpkin (Jun 19), Cantaloupe (Jun 27), Celery (Jun 27), Melons (Jun 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 2), Watermelon (Jul 2), Pepper (Jul 7), Tomatillos (Jul 7), Eggplant (Jul 12), Corn (Jul 14), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 5), Cosmos (Aug 5), Cucumber (Aug 5), Zinnias (Aug 5), Broccoli (Aug 6), Nasturtiums (Aug 10), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 5), Cilantro (Sep 5), Collards (Sep 9), Scallions (Sep 9), Bok Choy (Sep 10), Lettuce (Sep 10), +6 more. |
| October | First fall frost approaching (around November 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 1). First frost around November 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 22). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ronkonkoma, NY (ZIP 11779)?
The median last spring frost date for Ronkonkoma, NY (ZIP code 11779) is around April 13. 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 March 29; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Ronkonkoma, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Ronkonkoma, NY is around November 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 October 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ronkonkoma, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Ronkonkoma is about 202 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 Ronkonkoma (202 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ronkonkoma, NY?
Ronkonkoma, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Ronkonkoma, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Ronkonkoma. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ronkonkoma?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.
When do I plant garlic in Ronkonkoma?
Nov 1 to Nov 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ronkonkoma?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 2 for a fall crop.
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