Frost Dates for Schenectady, NY 12305
Schenectady has 8 ZIP codes. The Schenectady, NY frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost September 28 · 143 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 12305 has about 7,360 people, one of 8 ZIP codes in Schenectady.
Moderate season: 143 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 25–May 20 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 16–October 13 (27 days).
Frost probability for 12305
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 20 | May 8 | April 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 16 | September 28 | October 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SARATOGA SPRINGS 4 SW (27.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 143-day season in Schenectady
In Schenectady (143 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 3 | May 22–May 29 | 101 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 101 available after May 22. | May 29 |
| Pepper | Mar 27 | May 22–May 29 | 101 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 101 available after May 22. | Jun 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 17. | Jul 27 |
| Cucumber | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | Jul 2 |
| Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 15. | Jul 9 |
| Peas | — | Mar 13–May 22 | 206 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 13. | Jul 18 |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 115 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | Jul 7 |
| Onion | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 13–May 1 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Kale | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 10. | Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 10. | Jul 27 |
| Radish | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 28 | 248 | overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer. | Oct 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 3–May 29 | 199 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 15. | Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 24 | May 22–May 22 | 108 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 | May 1–May 15 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 1. | Jul 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 13 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 10. | Jun 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after May 22. | Jun 8 |
| Okra | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 15. | Jul 7 |
| Basil | Apr 3 | May 29–May 29 | 108 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after May 29. | Jul 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 10–May 1 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Parsley | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 15. | Jul 13 |
| Celery | Feb 27 | May 15–May 29 | 143 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 143 available after May 15. | May 24 |
| Scallions | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Collards | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 101 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 22. | May 24 |
| Chives | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Oregano | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 15. | — |
| Sage | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 15. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 15. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Cosmos | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 8. | Jul 2 |
| Lavender | Feb 13 | May 8–May 22 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 27 | May 8–May 15 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 12 |
| Melons | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 101 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 22. | May 24 |
| Mint | — | May 8–May 22 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 122 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 122 available after May 15. | Jun 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 108 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 108 available after May 22. | May 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 8–May 22 | 129 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 129 available after May 8. | Jun 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 108 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 15. | Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 15. | May 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 115 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 22. | Jul 7 |
| Zinnias | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 8. | Jul 2 |
Month by month in Schenectady
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 24), Celery (May 24), Melons (May 24), Spaghetti Squash (May 26), Tomato (May 29), Watermelon (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 3), Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Schenectady, NY (ZIP 12305)?
The median last spring frost date for Schenectady, NY (ZIP code 12305) is around May 8. 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 25; one in ten it runs past May 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Schenectady, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Schenectady, NY is around September 28. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Schenectady, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Schenectady is about 143 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 Schenectady (143 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 Schenectady, NY?
Schenectady, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Schenectady, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Schenectady. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Schenectady?
Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.
When do I plant garlic in Schenectady?
Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ballston Lake (ZIP 12019) has 150 frost-free days, 7 more than Schenectady (ZIP 12305). See Ballston Lake ZIP 12019 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Schenectady, NY 12308 (1.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Schenectady, NY 12309 (4.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Clifton Park, NY 12065 (8.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Ballston Lake, NY 12019 (8.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Latham, NY 12110 (9.7 mi)
- When to plant in Schenectady, NY: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in NY
- When to plant Peppers in NY
- When to plant Cucumbers in NY
- When to plant Zucchini in NY
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NY
- When to plant Basil in NY
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NY
- Look up another ZIP