Last frost date in Ithaca, NY

Average last frost
May 11

The average last frost in Ithaca is May 11. By May 26 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 3, which leaves 145 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 26
Average first frost
Oct 3
Frost-free season
145 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 30
Next 7 nights in Ithaca

Frost likely Fri night, low 30°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2234°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2330°frost
  3. SatOct 2432°frost
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2642°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 11First frost Oct 3145 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND145 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Ithaca Cornell University, 2.8 miles from Ithaca.

Planting calendar for Ithaca

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across New York.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 18–Jun 1
PumpkinsMay 25–Jun 8
SunflowersMay 11–Jun 1
CucumbersMay 25–Jun 1
CornMay 18–Jun 1
Sweet potatoesJun 1–Jun 15
WatermelonMay 25–Jun 8
Green beansMay 18–Jun 8
ZucchiniMay 18–Jun 1
OkraJun 1–Jun 15
PeppersMay 25–Jun 8
BasilMay 18–Jun 1
Butternut squashMay 18–Jun 1
CantaloupeMay 25–Jun 8
EggplantMay 25–Jun 8
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 13–Apr 27
OnionsMar 30–Apr 20
CarrotsApr 20–May 25
LettuceApr 27–May 18
BroccoliApr 13–Apr 27
BeetsApr 13–May 25
PeasMar 30–Apr 13
CabbageApr 13–Apr 27
RadishesApr 6–May 18
Brussels sproutsApr 27–May 11
SpinachMar 30–Apr 20
CilantroApr 27–May 18
KaleApr 13–Apr 27
Collard greensApr 13–Apr 27
TurnipsApr 13–Apr 27
DillMay 11–May 25
CeleryMay 18–May 25
CauliflowerApr 27–May 11
LeeksApr 27–May 11
Swiss chardApr 27–May 25
ParsleyApr 27–May 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 19–Oct 24
GarlicSep 12–Oct 17
Daffodil bulbsSep 5–Oct 17
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 13–Apr 27
AsparagusApr 13–Apr 27

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 27May 11May 26Sep 21Oct 3Oct 21
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 17Apr 30May 16Oct 1Oct 18Nov 4

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Ithaca Cornell University (USC00304174) sits 2.8 miles from the center of Ithaca at 960 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Ithaca, NY?

The average last frost date in Ithaca is May 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 26.

When is the first frost in Ithaca?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 3. One year in ten it arrives before September 21.

How long is the growing season in Ithaca?

About 145 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ithaca?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 18 to June 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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