Albany, NY planting zone & frost dates
Albany is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 27 and the first fall frost around October 15, for a growing season of about 169 days.
Planting calendar for Albany
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 27) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 20 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 15).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 16 | Apr 27 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Albany
- 12201 zone 6a
- 12202 zone 6a
- 12203 zone 6a
- 12204 zone 6a
- 12205 zone 6a
- 12206 zone 6a
- 12207 zone 6a
- 12208 zone 6a
- 12209 zone 6a
- 12210 zone 6a
- 12211 zone 6a
- 12212 zone 6a
- 12214 zone 6a
- 12220 zone 6a
- 12222 zone 6a
- 12223 zone 6a
- 12224 zone 6a
- 12225 zone 6a
- 12226 zone 6a
- 12227 zone 6a
- 12228 zone 6a
- 12229 zone 6a
- 12230 zone 6a
- 12231 zone 6a
- 12232 zone 6a
- 12233 zone 6a
- 12234 zone 6a
- 12235 zone 6a
- 12236 zone 6a
- 12237 zone 6a
- 12238 zone 6a
- 12239 zone 6a
- 12240 zone 6a
- 12241 zone 6a
- 12242 zone 6a
- 12243 zone 6a
- 12244 zone 6a
- 12245 zone 6a
- 12246 zone 6a
- 12247 zone 6a
- 12248 zone 6a
- 12249 zone 6a
- 12250 zone 6a
- 12255 zone 6a
- 12257 zone 6a
- 12260 zone 6a
- 12261 zone 6a
- 12288 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- West Albany zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Roessleville zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Latham zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Watervliet zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Troy zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Cohoes zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Clifton Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Schenectady zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Questions
What growing zone is Albany, NY?
Albany is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Albany?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Albany is April 27. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Albany?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 4 – May 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Albany Ap, NY (USW00014735), 11.0 km (6.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 95 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.