Frost Dates for Utica, NY 13501
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost October 2 · 146 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 13501 has about 38,900 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Utica.
Moderate season: 146 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 21 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 14 (25 days).
Frost probability for 13501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 21 | May 9 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | October 2 | October 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LITTLE FALLS CITY RSCH (29.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Utica, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13501 | May 9 | October 2 | 5b |
| 13502 | May 9 | October 2 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 146-day season in Utica
In Utica (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 4 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 18. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 23. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 16. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 14. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 23. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 11. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 251 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 202 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 16. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 2. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 11. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 30. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 16. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 146 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 146 available after May 16. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | May 28 |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 9. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | May 28 |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 125 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 125 available after May 16. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 9. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 16. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 16. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 23. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 9. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Utica
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), Sage (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 14), Beets (Mar 14), Dill (Mar 14), Peas (Mar 14), Radish (Mar 14), Spinach (Mar 14), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 4), Tomato (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Corn (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 11), Nasturtiums (Apr 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 11), Turnip (Apr 11), Carrots (Apr 18), Potatoes (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 11), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 11), Cabbage (Apr 11), Collards (Apr 11), Kale (Apr 11), Lettuce (Apr 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 4). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 9), Beans (May 16), Pole Beans (May 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Cosmos (May 9), Lavender (May 9), Marigolds (May 9), Mint (May 9), +25 more. Last frost around May 9. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 28), Celery (May 28), Melons (May 28), Spaghetti Squash (May 30). |
| June | 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 Utica, NY (ZIP 13501)?
The median last spring frost date for Utica, NY (ZIP code 13501) is around May 9. 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 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Utica, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Utica, 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 Utica, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Utica is about 146 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 Utica (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Utica, NY?
Utica, 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 Utica, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Utica. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Utica?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Utica?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for New Hartford, NY 13413 (3 mi)
- Frost dates for Utica, NY 13502 (5.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Whitesboro, NY 13492 (5.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Clinton, NY 13323 (8.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Ilion, NY 13357 (10.7 mi)
- 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