Glens Falls, NY planting zone & frost dates
Glens Falls is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 17 and the first fall frost around September 29, for a growing season of about 135 days.
Planting calendar for Glens Falls
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 4 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 29).
Useful for zone 5a 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 | May 1 | May 17 | May 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 10 | Sep 29 | Sep 17 |
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 17. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Glens Falls
- 12801 zone 5a
Nearby cities
- Queensbury zone 5a, last frost May 9
- Wilton zone 5b, last frost May 2
- Saratoga Springs zone 5b, last frost May 2
- Clifton Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Cohoes zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Glenville zone 6a, last frost May 7
- Latham zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
- Schenectady zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Questions
What growing zone is Glens Falls, NY?
Glens Falls is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Glens Falls?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Glens Falls is May 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Glens Falls?
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 Glens Falls Farm, NY (USC00303284), 3.2 km (2.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 154 m, based on 23 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.