Corning, NY planting zone & frost dates

Corning is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 17 and the first fall frost around October 2, for a growing season of about 139 days.

USDA hardiness zone6aavg. extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F

Average last spring frostMay 1790% chance of no frost after May 31

Average first fall frostOctober 210% chance of frost by September 21

Growing season139 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Corning

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 17) 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 22 – Apr 5 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Peas	Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3
Beans	Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 7 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 2).

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 30	May 17	May 31
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Oct 16	Oct 2	Sep 21

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 4.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Corning

14830 zone 5b
14831 zone 6a

Nearby cities

Elmira zone 6a, last frost May 6
Ithaca zone 6a, last frost May 11
Geneva zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
Canandaigua zone 6b, last frost Apr 29
Auburn zone 6a, last frost May 2
Cortland zone 5b, last frost May 7
Vestal zone 6a, last frost May 5
Endicott zone 6a, last frost May 5

All cities in New York → · Other zone 6a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Corning, NY?

Corning is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.

When is the last frost in Corning?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Corning is May 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 31.

When can I plant tomatoes in Corning?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 24 – May 31. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Corning, NY (USC00301787), 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 350 m, based on 24 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.