Rochester, NY planting zone & frost dates
Rochester is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 25, for a growing season of about 181 days.
Planting calendar for Rochester
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) 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: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 25).
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 12 | Apr 24 | May 8 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 25 | Oct 8 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 8. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Rochester
- 14602 zone 6b
- 14603 zone 6b
- 14604 zone 6b
- 14605 zone 6b
- 14606 zone 6b
- 14607 zone 6b
- 14608 zone 6b
- 14609 zone 6b
- 14610 zone 6b
- 14611 zone 6b
- 14612 zone 6b
- 14613 zone 6b
- 14615 zone 6b
- 14616 zone 6b
- 14617 zone 6b
- 14618 zone 6b
- 14619 zone 6b
- 14620 zone 6b
- 14621 zone 6b
- 14622 zone 6b
- 14623 zone 6b
- 14624 zone 6b
- 14625 zone 6b
- 14626 zone 6b
- 14638 zone 6b
- 14639 zone 6b
- 14643 zone 6b
- 14644 zone 6b
- 14646 zone 6b
- 14647 zone 6b
- 14649 zone 6b
- 14650 zone 6b
- 14651 zone 6b
- 14652 zone 6b
- 14653 zone 6b
- 14692 zone 6b
- 14694 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Brighton zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Irondequoit zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Gates-North Gates zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Greece zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Henrietta zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- West Henrietta zone 6b, last frost Apr 24
- Canandaigua zone 6b, last frost Apr 29
- Batavia zone 6a, last frost May 3
Questions
What growing zone is Rochester, NY?
Rochester is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Rochester?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Rochester is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 8.
When can I plant tomatoes in Rochester?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, NY (USW00014768), 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 162 m, based on 25 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.