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Binghamton, NY Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 13901 · elevation 490′ · NOAA & USDA data

Binghamton is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 162 days between the average last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (October 11). The warmest month is July (avg high 78.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 15.5°F). It averages 42″ of precipitation a year and 86.5″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
6a
min temp -10 to -5°F
Last spring frost
May 2
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
October 11
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
162 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 78.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Binghamton

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Binghamton, NY (5.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 29.5 15.5 22.5 2.6 20.6
February 32.2 16.9 24.5 2.4 19.7
March 40.7 24 32.3 3.1 16.4
April 54.2 35 44.6 3.6 3.8
May 66.2 46.1 56.2 3.8 0.1
June 74 54.9 64.4 4.7 0
July 78.4 59.4 68.9 3.8 0
August 76.7 58 67.3 4.1 0
September 69.5 50.6 60 4 0
October 57.1 40.5 48.8 3.8 1
November 45.1 30.7 37.9 3.1 6.8
December 34.3 21.9 28.1 3.1 18.1

What to plant when in Binghamton

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: March 21 · Transplant out: May 9
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: March 7 · Transplant out: May 16
CucumberswarmDirect sow: May 9
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: May 9
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: May 9
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: May 9
BasilwarmTransplant out: May 9
PeascoolSow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 16
SpinachcoolSow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 16
LettucecoolSow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 16
KalecoolTransplant (spring): April 11 · Sow (fall): August 2
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): April 18
CarrotscoolSow (spring): April 11 · Sow (fall): August 2
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): April 4
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: April 18
RadishescoolSow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 30

Dates are computed from Binghamton's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in New York

Syracuse, NYUtica, NYSchenectady, NYRochester, NYAlbany, NYTroy, NYYonkers, NYWhite Plains, NY

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Binghamton, NY, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Binghamton, NY, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.