When to plant in Ithaca, NY
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Ithaca, New York — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Ithaca gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
ITHACA CORNELL UNIV · 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 Ithaca’s own odds, recorded at ITHACA CORNELL UNIV.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 6 | May 24 | May 8 | Sep 10 | Sep 23 | Oct 6 |
| 32°F | May 26 | May 11 | Apr 27 | Sep 21 | Oct 3 | Oct 21 |
| 28°F | May 16 | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Oct 1 | Oct 18 | Nov 4 |
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 Ithaca, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Ithaca planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Ithaca, NY?
Plan for the last spring frost in Ithaca around May 11 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Ithaca, NY?
The first fall frost in Ithaca typically arrives around October 3 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Ithaca in?
Ithaca 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 Ithaca?
Ithaca has about 145 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (October 3).
When should I plant tomatoes in Ithaca?
For Ithaca, sow tomatoes indoors about March 16–March 30 and move the seedlings out around May 18, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Ithaca
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Ithaca’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at ITHACA CORNELL UNIV, 4 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 Ithaca, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00304174. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/ithaca.