State growing guide
New York Planting Guide
USDA Zone 5b/6a · Last frost Apr 25 · First frost Oct 18 · 176 days
Zone-specific planting calendar, major city frost dates, top crops, and Duke's tips for growing food in New York.
Frost Dates by City — New York
Average frost dates for major New York cities. Use these to calculate your indoor start dates and transplant windows.
| City | USDA Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Tomato Transplant Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 7b | Mar 25 | Nov 20 | ~2 wks after (Mar 25) |
| Buffalo | 6a | Apr 20 | Oct 18 | ~2 wks after (Apr 20) |
| Rochester | 6a | Apr 20 | Oct 18 | ~2 wks after (Apr 20) |
| Syracuse | 5a | May 10 | Oct 5 | ~2 wks after (May 10) |
| Albany | 5b | May 1 | Oct 10 | ~2 wks after (May 1) |
| Ithaca | 6a | Apr 20 | Oct 18 | ~2 wks after (Apr 20) |
| Long Island | 7b | Mar 30 | Nov 10 | ~2 wks after (Mar 30) |
Average dates based on 30-year NOAA climate normals. Individual years may vary ±2 weeks. Use the Zone Lookup Tool for ZIP-specific dates.
Duke's Top Tips for New York Gardeners
- NYC gardeners (Zone 7b) can transplant tomatoes in mid-April with Wall O' Waters
- Upstate NY (Albany, Syracuse) must wait until mid-May
- Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley are excellent for cool-season vegetables and wine grapes
- Start tomatoes indoors mid-March statewide
Common Challenges in New York
- ⚠ Very cold winters upstate — spring comes late
- ⚠ Late May frosts possible in Syracuse and Albany
- ⚠ High disease pressure in humid Hudson Valley summers
Best Crops for New York
Get exact dates for your ZIP code in New York
City averages are a starting point. Your actual microclimate matters — enter your ZIP for precise frost dates.
Frequently Asked Questions — New York Gardening
What zone is New York?
New York spans Zones 4a (Adirondacks) to 7b (NYC and Long Island). NYC is Zone 7b, Long Island is Zone 7a–7b, Albany is Zone 5b, Buffalo is Zone 6a, and Syracuse is Zone 5a.
When to plant tomatoes in New York City?
NYC (Zone 7b) gardeners can transplant tomatoes mid-to-late April with frost protection. Safely without protection: early May. Upstate NY (Albany, Syracuse): transplant May 15–25.