Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Rye, NY
Plan your garden around Rye, NY's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 12
Safe Apr 27
Typical Apr 12
Risky Apr 1
First Fall Frost
October 31
Safe Oct 15
Typical Oct 31
Risky Nov 14
Growing Season
200 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 7b
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station WESTCHESTER CO AP, NY US, 9.8 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 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 1 – Feb 15 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | 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 1 – Feb 15 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 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 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 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 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 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 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — | 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 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 19 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 19 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 5 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Sep 19 – Sep 26 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 | 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 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Aug 29 | 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 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | 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 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 22 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 5 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Sep 19 – Oct 3 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 5 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Oct 17 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 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 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Sep 5 – Sep 19 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | 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 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 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 1 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | 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 Rye, NY?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the WESTCHESTER CO AP, NY US station, the last spring frost in Rye typically falls around April 12. A cautious gardener might wait until April 27 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 1 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Rye, NY in fall?
The first fall frost in Rye typically arrives around October 31. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 15; in milder years it can hold off until November 14.
How long is the growing season in Rye, NY?
Rye's average frost-free growing season is about 200 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 12) to the typical first fall frost (October 31).
What USDA hardiness zone is Rye, NY in?
Rye, NY is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.