When to plant in Rome, NY
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Rome, New York — all computed from Rome's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Rome sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
ROME GRIFFISS AIRFIELD · 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 Rome’s own odds, recorded at ROME GRIFFISS AIRFIELD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 1 | May 17 | Apr 30 | Sep 19 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 20 | May 6 | Apr 22 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | May 10 | Apr 26 | Apr 12 | Oct 11 | Oct 27 | Nov 12 |
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 Rome, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Rome planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Rome, NY?
Plan for the last spring frost in Rome around May 6 (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 Rome, NY?
The first fall frost in Rome typically arrives around October 13 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Rome in?
Rome is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Rome?
There are roughly 160 frost-free days in Rome (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 6 to the first fall frost near October 13.
When should I plant tomatoes in Rome?
In Rome, start tomato seeds indoors around March 11–March 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 13 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Rome
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Rome’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at ROME GRIFFISS AIRFIELD, 6 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 Rome, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00064775. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/rome.