Frost Dates for Walden, NY 12586

Last spring frost April 24 · First fall frost October 17 · 176 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b

ZIP 12586 has about 13,000 people.

Moderate season: 176 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 4 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 1 (29 days).

Frost probability for 12586

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 4April 24April 13
Fall (first frost)October 3October 17November 1

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOHONK LAKE (22.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 176-day season in Walden

In Walden (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 20May 8–May 15134fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 8.Jun 17
PepperMar 13May 8–May 15134fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 8.Jun 22
LettuceFeb 27Mar 27–Apr 3211two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 26
Carrots—Apr 3–Apr 10218fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 3.Aug 15
CucumberApr 3May 8–May 15148two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
Beans—May 1–May 15162two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10.Jul 28
Peas—Feb 27–May 8239fits: 65 days to maturity, 239 available after Feb 27.Aug 6
ZucchiniApr 10May 8–May 15148two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
OnionJan 30Mar 27–Apr 10211fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27.—
Spinach—Feb 27–Apr 17253two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 14
KaleFeb 13Mar 27–Apr 10225two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 30
BroccoliFeb 27Mar 27–Apr 10211fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 27.Jul 22
CabbageFeb 27Mar 27–Apr 10225fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 27.Aug 15
Radish—Feb 27–May 22239two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24.Sep 15
Beets—Feb 27–May 22239two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
Potatoes—Apr 10–Apr 17197fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 10.—
Garlic—Oct 17281overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer.Nov 7
Strawberry—Mar 20–May 15232perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 27May 1–May 8148fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after May 1.Jun 29
PumpkinApr 10May 8–May 8141fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 8.Jun 4
CauliflowerMar 13Apr 17–May 1190fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 17.Jul 27
Swiss ChardFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 10197two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
Arugula—Feb 27–May 22253two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 14
Brussel SproutsFeb 27Mar 27–Apr 10225fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 27.Jul 16
Butternut SquashApr 10May 8–May 15141fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 8.Jun 4
EggplantMar 6May 8–May 15134fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 8.Jun 27
OkraMar 27May 1–May 8155two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
BasilMar 20May 15–May 15141two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
Cilantro—Mar 27–Apr 17211two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 21
ParsleyFeb 13May 1–May 8176fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after May 1.Aug 1
CeleryFeb 13May 1–May 15176fits: 120 days to maturity, 176 available after May 1.Jun 12
ScallionsFeb 13Mar 27–Apr 10225two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 25
Turnip—Mar 27–Apr 10225two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 4
Kohlrabi—Mar 13–Mar 27239two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 30
Bok ChoyMar 27Apr 17–Apr 24190two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 26
CollardsFeb 13Mar 27–Apr 10225two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 25
CantaloupeApr 10May 8–May 15134fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 8.Jun 12
ChivesJan 30May 1–May 8190fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 1.—
Dill—Feb 27–May 22239two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
OreganoFeb 13May 1–May 8190fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after May 1.—
RosemaryJan 30May 1–May 8176fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 1.—
SageFeb 27May 1–May 8190fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after May 1.—
ThymeFeb 13May 1–May 8190fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 1.—
CalendulaMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24197two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 21
CosmosMar 27Apr 24–May 8162two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
LavenderJan 30Apr 24–May 8197fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 24.—
MarigoldsMar 13Apr 24–May 1162two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 31
MelonsApr 10May 8–May 15134fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 8.Jun 12
Mint—Apr 24–May 8197fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 24.—
NasturtiumsMar 27Apr 24–May 1162two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
Pole Beans—May 1–May 15155fits: 65 days to maturity, 155 available after May 1.Jul 16
Spaghetti SquashApr 10May 8–May 15141fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 8.Jun 14
Sunflowers—Apr 24–May 8162fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 24.Jul 11
TomatillosFeb 27May 1–May 8141fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 1.Jun 22
WatermelonApr 10May 1–May 8141fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 1.Jun 17
Yellow SquashApr 10May 8–May 15148two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
ZinniasMar 27Apr 24–May 8162two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21

Month by month in Walden

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 30), Lavender (Jan 30), Onion (Jan 30), Rosemary (Jan 30).
FebruaryStart indoors: Celery (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Oregano (Feb 13), Parsley (Feb 13), Scallions (Feb 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 27), Beets (Feb 27), Dill (Feb 27), Peas (Feb 27), Radish (Feb 27), Spinach (Feb 27).
MarchStart indoors: Eggplant (Mar 6), Calendula (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Pepper (Mar 13), Basil (Mar 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 13), Cilantro (Mar 27), Turnip (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 27), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), Kale (Mar 27), Lettuce (Mar 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 20).
AprilStart indoors: Cucumber (Apr 3), Butternut Squash (Apr 10), Cantaloupe (Apr 10), Melons (Apr 10), Pumpkin (Apr 10), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 3), Potatoes (Apr 10), Sunflowers (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), Bok Choy (Apr 17), Cauliflower (Apr 17), Cosmos (Apr 24), Lavender (Apr 24), +4 more. Last frost around April 24.
MayDirect sow from: Beans (May 1), Pole Beans (May 1). Transplant from: Celery (May 1), Chives (May 1), Corn (May 1), Okra (May 1), Oregano (May 1), Parsley (May 1), +17 more.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7).
DecemberClean 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 Walden, NY (ZIP 12586)?

The median last spring frost date for Walden, NY (ZIP code 12586) is around April 24. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 4.

What is the first fall frost date in Walden, NY?

The median first fall frost date for Walden, NY is around October 17. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Walden, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Walden is about 176 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 Walden (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Walden, NY?

Walden, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Walden, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 20 and plant out May 8 in Walden. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Walden?

Two: plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.

When do I plant garlic in Walden?

Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Nearby and related