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Frost dates and planting calendar for Saratoga Springs, New York

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
5b[1]
Median last spring frost
May 2[2]
Median first fall frost
Oct 7[3]
Growing season, median
158 days[4]

Saratoga Springs, New York is in USDA hardiness zone 5b[1]. The median last spring frost is May 2, so in half of years the last 32°F frost comes after that date[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Apr 21, half of years May 2, 1 in 10 years after May 17Last frostmedian May 2First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Oct 25, half of years Oct 7, 1 in 10 years before Sep 27First frostmedian Oct 7Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Apr 4 to Apr 18Apr 4 to Apr 18Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Apr 18 to May 2Apr 18 to May 2TenderTender vegetables: plant around May 2around May 2Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from May 16from May 16
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

Frost dates here are odds from NOAA records for 1991 to 2020, not a forecast[5]. The last spring frost comes after April 21 in 9 of 10 years, after May 2 in half of years, and after May 17 in 1 of 10 years[2]. The first fall frost comes before September 27 in 1 of 10 years, before October 7 in half of years, and before October 25 in 9 of 10 years[3]. These numbers come from the Saratoga Springs 4SW weather station[5]. Any single year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after April 21 after May 2 after May 17
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before September 27 before October 7 before October 25
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date April 20, median first fall date October 21[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 138 days in 9 of 10 years, 158 days in half of years and 178 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Saratoga Springs 4SW (USC00307484), 2.8 miles from the city center, 326 feet, 28 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension wrote its planting guide for Colorado, so treat these dates as a starting point[6]. GardenFacts used the median last frost, May 2, as the average last frost[6]. Hardy vegetables such as peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before that date, which is April 4 to April 18[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before, which is April 18, up to the median date itself[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be seeded around May 2[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically start 2 or more weeks after, with the earliest start on May 16[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (May 2) is April 4 to April 18[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (May 2) is April 18, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, May 2[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (May 2), is May 16[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 8 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 28 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Apr 4 May 24
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 3
Onions (hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jul 23
Peas (hardy)[12] Apr 4 Jun 8
Radishes (hardy)[12] Apr 4 May 4
Spinach (hardy)[12] Apr 4 May 14
Turnips (hardy)[12] Apr 4 May 24
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 Jun 17
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 Jun 27
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 Jun 27
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 Aug 21
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 18 Jun 17
Snap beans (tender)[12] May 2 Jul 1
Sweet corn (tender)[12] May 2 Jul 1
Cucumbers (tender)[12] May 2 Jun 26
Summer squash (tender)[12] May 2 Jun 21
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] May 16 Aug 9
Eggplant (very tender)[12] May 16 Jul 15 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] May 16 Jul 25 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] May 16 Jul 20 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] May 16 Aug 24
Watermelon (very tender)[12] May 16 Aug 9
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 5b means the coldest night of the year averages -15°F to -10°F, using 1991 to 2020 data[1]. The zone is based on winter lows, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. All of the city's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 5b[15].

Zone 5b: average annual extreme minimum temperature -15°F to -10°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: -13.6°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 5b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 5b and what zone 5b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
12866[15] 5b -15 to -10°F
12020[15] 5b -15 to -10°F
12833[15] 5b -15 to -10°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Saratoga Springs, New York?
The center of the city is in USDA zone 5b on the 2023 map[1]. All of the city's land area is in ZIP code areas rated 5b[15].
When is the last frost in Saratoga Springs?
The median last spring frost is May 2, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after May 17[2].
When is the first frost in Saratoga Springs?
The median first fall frost is October 7, so in half of years it comes before that date[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before September 27[3].
When to plant tomatoes in Saratoga Springs?
CSU Extension says very tender vegetables like tomatoes typically start 2 or more weeks after the average last frost, and the earliest start is May 16[11]. CSU's guide was written for Colorado[11].
How long is the growing season in Saratoga Springs?
The season is at least 158 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 138 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Saratoga Springs, New York in zone 5b. Zone 5b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -15°F to -10°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is minus 13.6°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 21, in half of years after May 2, and in 1 of 10 years after May 17 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is May 2. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before September 27, in half of years before October 7, and in 9 of 10 years before October 25 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is October 7. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 138 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 158 days in half of years, and at least 178 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Saratoga Springs 4SW weather station (USC00307484), 2.8 miles from the center of Saratoga Springs at 326 feet, using 28 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is April 20 and the median first fall date is October 21. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Saratoga Springs, New York overlaps 3 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 5b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.