Kingston, NY planting zone & frost dates
Kingston is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 14 and the first fall frost around September 28, for a growing season of about 134 days.
Planting calendar for Kingston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 14) 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 19 – Apr 2 Transplant outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: May 28 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: May 28 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 Transplant outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 28).
Useful for zone 6b 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 14 | Jun 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 11 | Sep 28 | Sep 14 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after June 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Kingston
- 12401 zone 6a
- 12402 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Poughkeepsie zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
- Wawarsing zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
- Beacon zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Newburgh zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Woodbury zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Kiryas Joel zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Fallsburg zone 6a, last frost May 9
- Jefferson Valley-Yorktown zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
Questions
What growing zone is Kingston, NY?
Kingston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6a.
When is the last frost in Kingston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Kingston is May 14. There is still a 10% chance of frost until June 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kingston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 21 – May 28. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Rhinebeck 4Se, NY (USC00307035), 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 92 m, based on 13 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.