When is the last frost in Schenectady, NY?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Schenectady is around May 7, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Delanson 2ne, NY station (12.3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Schenectady?

The average first fall frost in Schenectady, NY is around October 7, giving roughly a 153-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Schenectady, NY?

Schenectady is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -15 to -10°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Schenectady?

In Schenectady, NY the warmest month is July (avg high 83.9°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 15.9°F). It averages about 40.7″ of precipitation a year and 59.2″ of snow.

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Schenectady, NY Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 12302 · elevation 95′ · NOAA & USDA data

Schenectady is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 153 days between the average last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (October 7). The warmest month is July (avg high 83.9°F); the coldest is January (avg low 15.9°F). It averages 40.7″ of precipitation a year and 59.2″ 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

min temp -15 to -10°F

Last spring frost

May 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

153 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 83.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Schenectady

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Albany Ap, NY (12.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	32.8	15.9	24.4	2.6	15.6
February	36	17.6	26.8	2.3	13.7
March	45.3	26.1	35.7	3.1	12
April	59.2	36.9	48.1	3.1	1.6
May	71.2	48.1	59.6	3.4	0.1
June	79.4	57.4	68.4	4.1	0
July	83.9	62.4	73.1	4.6	0
August	82	60.7	71.4	3.8	0
September	74.4	52.6	63.5	3.7	0
October	61.6	41.1	51.4	3.9	0.3
November	49.3	31.6	40.5	3	2.6
December	38.2	22.7	30.4	3.3	13.3

What to plant when in Schenectady

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 26 · Transplant out: May 14
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 12 · Transplant out: May 21
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 14
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 14
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 14
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 14
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 14
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 12
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): August 12
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 9 · Sow (fall): August 12
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 16 · Sow (fall): July 29
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 23
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 16 · Sow (fall): July 29
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 9
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 23
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 9 · Sow (fall): August 26

Dates are computed from Schenectady'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

Albany, NY Troy, NY Utica, NY Binghamton, NY Syracuse, NY White Plains, NY Yonkers, NY New Rochelle, 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 — Delanson 2ne, NY, 12.3 mi (confidence: medium). Monthly weather normals: Albany Ap, NY, 12.8 mi (confidence: medium). 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.