Ithaca, NY planting zone & frost dates
Ithaca is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 11 and the first fall frost around October 3, for a growing season of about 145 days.
Planting calendar for Ithaca
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 11) 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 16 – Mar 30 Transplant outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 Transplant outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 3).
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 27 | May 11 | May 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 21 | Oct 3 | Sep 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 26, 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 April 30.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Ithaca
- 14850 zone 6a
- 14851 zone 6a
- 14852 zone 6a
- 14853 zone 6a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Ithaca, NY?
Ithaca 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 Ithaca?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Ithaca is May 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Ithaca?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 18 – May 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ithaca Cornell Univ, NY (USC00304174), 4.0 km (2.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 293 m, based on 30 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.