Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 12421 (Delaware County, NY)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Lansing Manor, NY (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)137 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 49°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (52 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (52 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 12421 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 1 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 19 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 18 | Oct 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 6 | Oct 12 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 12421
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 2). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 6–20 | May 4–25 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 13–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 6–20 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 6–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Lansing Manor, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00304575), elevation 1,100 ft, 13.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide Mtn, NY | 18 mi | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Delhi 2 SE, NY | 19 mi | May 19 | Oct 1 |
| E Jewett, NY | 20 mi | May 20 | Sep 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 14 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 12421
When is the last frost in 12421?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 12421 is May 18. For a more cautious planting date, use June 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 12421?
The average first fall freeze is October 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 19.
What hardiness zone is 12421?
ZIP 12421 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 12421 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
12474 12430 Fleischmanns 12438 12434 12459 12468 Prattsville 12441 Pine Hill 12465 Pine Hill
Other ZIP codes in Delaware County
12434 12438 12441 12455 12459 12474 12760 12776 13731 13739 13740 13750 13751 13752 13753 13755 13756 13757 13774 13775 13782 13783 13786 13788 All Delaware County frost dates · New York frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.