When to plant in Albany, NY
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Albany, New York — all computed from Albany's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Albany gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Albany is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
ALBANY AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Albany’s own odds, recorded at ALBANY AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 23 | May 8 | Apr 25 | Sep 23 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 27 | Apr 16 | Oct 3 | Oct 15 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Oct 11 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Albany, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Albany planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Albany, NY?
On average, the last spring frost in Albany is around April 27 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Albany, NY?
In Albany, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 15 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Albany in?
Albany is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Albany?
Albany has about 171 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 27) and first fall frost (October 15).
When should I plant tomatoes in Albany?
For Albany, sow tomatoes indoors about March 2–March 16 and move the seedlings out around May 4, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Albany
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Albany’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Roessleville · 3 km
- Loudonville · 6 km
- Latham · 9 km
- Watervliet · 10 km
- Troy · 13 km
- Cohoes · 14 km
- Niskayuna · 17 km
- Rotterdam · 18 km
Frost dates recorded at ALBANY AP, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Albany, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014735. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/albany.