When to plant in Utica, NY
USDA Zone 5bUtica, New York frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5b means Utica sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Utica is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
UTICA ONEIDA CO 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 Utica’s own odds, recorded at UTICA ONEIDA CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 30 | May 13 | Apr 30 | Sep 19 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 |
| 32°F | May 17 | May 1 | Apr 19 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | May 5 | Apr 20 | Apr 8 | Oct 8 | Oct 27 | Nov 11 |
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 Utica, 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.
Utica planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Utica, NY?
Plan for the last spring frost in Utica around May 1 (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 Utica, NY?
Expect Utica's first fall frost near October 13 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Utica in?
Utica 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 Utica?
There are roughly 165 frost-free days in Utica (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 1 to the first fall frost near October 13.
When should I plant tomatoes in Utica?
In Utica, start tomato seeds indoors around March 6–March 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Utica
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Utica’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at UTICA ONEIDA CO AP, 14 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 Utica, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094794. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/utica.