Last frost date in Kingston, NY

Average last frost
May 14

In Kingston, the last spring frost comes around May 14 in an average year. Wait until June 1 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about September 28, which leaves 134 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 14 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Jun 1
Average first frost
Sep 28
Frost-free season
134 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
May 2
Next 7 nights in Kingston

Frost likely Fri night, low 30°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2236°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2330°frost
  3. SatOct 2431°frost
  4. SunOct 2534°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2642°
  6. TueOct 2736°possible frost
  7. WedOct 2838°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 14First frost Sep 28134 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND134 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Rhinebeck 4SE, 7.3 miles from Kingston.

Planting calendar for Kingston

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 21–Jun 4
PumpkinsMay 28–Jun 11
SunflowersMay 14–Jun 4
CucumbersMay 28–Jun 4
CornMay 21–Jun 4
Sweet potatoesJun 4–Jun 18
WatermelonMay 28–Jun 11
Green beansMay 21–Jun 11
ZucchiniMay 21–Jun 4
OkraJun 4–Jun 18
PeppersMay 28–Jun 11
BasilMay 21–Jun 4
Butternut squashMay 21–Jun 4
CantaloupeMay 28–Jun 11
EggplantMay 28–Jun 11
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 16–Apr 30
OnionsApr 2–Apr 23
CarrotsApr 23–May 28
LettuceApr 30–May 21
BroccoliApr 16–Apr 30
BeetsApr 16–May 28
PeasApr 2–Apr 16
CabbageApr 16–Apr 30
RadishesApr 9–May 21
Brussels sproutsApr 30–May 14
SpinachApr 2–Apr 23
CilantroApr 30–May 21
KaleApr 16–Apr 30
Collard greensApr 16–Apr 30
TurnipsApr 16–Apr 30
DillMay 14–May 28
CeleryMay 21–May 28
CauliflowerApr 30–May 14
LeeksApr 30–May 14
Swiss chardApr 30–May 28
ParsleyApr 30–May 21
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 14–Oct 19
GarlicSep 7–Oct 12
Daffodil bulbsAug 31–Oct 12
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 16–Apr 30
AsparagusApr 16–Apr 30

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 30May 14Jun 1Sep 14Sep 28Oct 11
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 18May 2May 19Sep 26Oct 7Oct 25

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 Rhinebeck 4SE (USC00307035) sits 7.3 miles from the center of Kingston at 301 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 Kingston, NY?

The average last frost date in Kingston is May 14, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after June 1.

When is the first frost in Kingston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around September 28. One year in ten it arrives before September 14.

How long is the growing season in Kingston?

About 134 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Kingston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 21 to June 4. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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