Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Hamburg, NY

The average first fall frost in Hamburg, NY is October 17, and the average last spring frost is May 4, giving a growing season of about 166 days.

Plan your garden around Hamburg, NY's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

May 4

Safe May 19 Typical May 4 Risky Apr 21

First Fall Frost

October 17

Safe Oct 1 Typical Oct 17 Risky Nov 3

Growing Season

166 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 6a

A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.

Data: NOAA station COLDEN 1W, NY US, 12.3 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Hamburg Compares

Hamburg's typical last spring frost (May 4) comes later than in 90% of the 267 New York cities we track.
Its 166-day growing season is 41 days shorter than the New York median of 207 days.
Compared with Lackawanna (12 km away), Hamburg's last spring frost comes 10 days later than Lackawanna's, and its first fall frost arrives 9 days earlier.
July is the warmest month (average high 77°F) and February the coldest (average low 16°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	May 11 – May 18	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Feb 23 – Mar 9	—	May 11 – May 25	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Feb 23 – Mar 9	—	May 18 – May 25	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Apr 6 – Apr 13	May 11 – May 18	May 11 – May 18	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Apr 13 – Apr 20	May 11 – May 25	May 11 – May 18	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Apr 6 – Apr 13	May 11 – May 25	May 11 – May 18	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	May 11 – May 25	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	May 18 – May 25	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	May 18 – May 25	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	May 4 – May 18	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	May 4 – May 18	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Mar 23 – Apr 6	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Aug 22 – Sep 5	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Mar 23 – Apr 6	—	Aug 22 – Sep 5	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Aug 8 – Aug 22	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Sep 5 – Sep 12	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Apr 13 – Apr 27	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Mar 16 – Mar 30	—	Apr 13 – Apr 20	Aug 15 – Aug 22	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Mar 16 – Mar 30	—	Apr 20 – Apr 27	Aug 8 – Aug 15	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Mar 16 – Mar 30	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	Aug 8 – Aug 22	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Mar 16 – Mar 30	—	Apr 13 – Apr 27	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Jul 25 – Aug 8	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Aug 8 – Aug 22	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Mar 30 – Apr 13	—	Sep 5 – Sep 19	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	Aug 8 – Aug 22	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Feb 23 – Mar 9	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Sep 19 – Oct 3	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	May 18 – Jun 1	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Mar 23 – Mar 30	—	May 11 – May 18	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Apr 13 – Apr 27	—	Aug 22 – Sep 5	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	Apr 20 – Apr 27	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Apr 13 – Apr 27	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	May 4 – May 11	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	May 4 – May 11	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	May 11 – May 25	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Apr 6 – Apr 13	May 11 – May 25	May 11 – May 18	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Mar 23 – Apr 6	—	May 11 – May 18	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Apr 6 – Apr 13	May 11 – May 25	May 11 – May 18	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	May 11 – May 25	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	May 11 – May 25	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Hamburg, NY?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the COLDEN 1W, NY US station, the last spring frost in Hamburg typically falls around May 4. A cautious gardener might wait until May 19 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 21 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Hamburg, NY in fall?

The first fall frost in Hamburg typically arrives around October 17. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 1; in milder years it can hold off until November 3.

How long is the growing season in Hamburg, NY?

Hamburg's average frost-free growing season is about 166 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 4) to the typical first fall frost (October 17).

What USDA hardiness zone is Hamburg, NY in?

Hamburg, NY is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.