Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for West Albany, NY
Plan your garden around West Albany, 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 27
Safe May 11
Typical Apr 27
Risky Apr 16
First Fall Frost
October 15
Safe Oct 3
Typical Oct 15
Risky Nov 1
Growing Season
169 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 ALBANY AP, NY US, 7.1 km away.
—
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 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 16 – Mar 2 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | 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 16 – Mar 2 | — | May 11 – May 18 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 11 | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 6 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 30 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 4 – May 18 | — | — | 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 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 11 – May 18 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 11 – May 18 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — | 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 27 – May 11 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 10 | 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 6 – Apr 20 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 20 | 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 9 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 13 | 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 9 – Mar 23 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | 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 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 6 | 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 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 17 | 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 30 – Apr 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | 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 17 – Oct 1 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — | 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 11 – May 25 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | 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 16 – Mar 23 | — | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 6 – Apr 20 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | 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 6 – Apr 20 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | 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 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 11 | — | 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 16 – Mar 30 | — | May 4 – May 11 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 11 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | 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 West Albany, NY?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the ALBANY AP, NY US station, the last spring frost in West Albany typically falls around April 27. A cautious gardener might wait until May 11 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 16 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in West Albany, NY in fall?
The first fall frost in West Albany typically arrives around October 15. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 3; in milder years it can hold off until November 1.
How long is the growing season in West Albany, NY?
West Albany's average frost-free growing season is about 169 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 27) to the typical first fall frost (October 15).
What USDA hardiness zone is West Albany, NY in?
West Albany, 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.