FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Mar 13 – Mar 20, then sow outdoors Apr 17 – May 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Cosmos Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
New York CityMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrooklynMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
QueensMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
ManhattanMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
The BronxMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Staten IslandMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
BuffaloMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
JamaicaMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
RochesterMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
YonkersMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
AstoriaMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
SyracuseApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
AmherstMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
ElmhurstFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
CoronaFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
AlbanyMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
Richmond HillMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
West AlbanyMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
GreenburghMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
New RochelleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
South Ozone ParkMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
CheektowagaMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
RidgewoodFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
Mount VernonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Forest HillsFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
Jackson HeightsFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
BaysideFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
SchenectadyMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
UticaApr 3 – Apr 10May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
BrentwoodMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Mar 13 – Mar 20, then sow outdoors Apr 17 – May 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cosmos take to grow?

Cosmos typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Other Crops in New York

When to plant cosmos in other states

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