Frost Dates for Vestal, NY 13850
Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 9 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 13850 has about 23,700 people.
Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 17 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 24 (30 days).
Frost probability for 13850
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 7 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 9 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TOWANDA 1 S (47.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 155-day season in Vestal
In Vestal (155 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 | Apr 2 | May 21–May 28 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 26 | May 21–May 28 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 16. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 21. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 12–May 21 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 12. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12–Apr 30 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 260 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 2–May 28 | 211 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 23 | May 21–May 21 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 14 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Apr 2 | May 28–May 28 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 28. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 9–Apr 30 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 26 | May 14–May 28 | 155 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14. | — |
| Sage | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 12 | May 7–May 21 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 26 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 7–May 21 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 134 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7–May 21 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 7. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 23 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Vestal
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. 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 Vestal, NY (ZIP 13850)?
The median last spring frost date for Vestal, NY (ZIP code 13850) is around May 7. 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 26; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Vestal, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Vestal, 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 Vestal, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Vestal is about 155 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 Vestal (155 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 Vestal, NY?
Vestal, 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 Vestal, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Vestal. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Vestal?
Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Vestal?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Endicott, NY 13760 (6.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Johnson City, NY 13790 (8.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Binghamton, NY 13905 (10 mi)
- Frost dates for Owego, NY 13827 (12.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Montrose, PA 18801 (15.8 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