Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 12401 (Kingston, NY)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Rhinebeck 4SE, NY (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)134 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 49°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (20 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (20 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 12401 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 1 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 11 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 14 | Sep 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 2 | Oct 7 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 12401
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 28). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 5–19 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 5–19 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 23–May 14 (transplant) Apr 16–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–May 14 (transplant) Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 21 (transplant) Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 9–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 16–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 16–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 2–16 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 19–Mar 5 | May 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 2–16 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Rhinebeck 4SE, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00307035), elevation 301 ft, 10.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platte Clove, NY | 11 mi | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| Mohonk Lake, NY | 17 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 27 |
| E Jewett, NY | 18 mi | May 20 | Sep 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 30 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 12401
When is the last frost in 12401?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 12401 is May 14. For a more cautious planting date, use June 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 12401?
The average first fall freeze is September 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 14.
What hardiness zone is 12401?
ZIP 12401 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 12401 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
12449 Lake Katrine 12475 Ruby 12456 12507 Barrytown 12443 Hurley 12432 Glasco 12417 Port Ewen 12504 Bard College
Other ZIP codes in Ulster County
12404 12406 12409 12410 12411 12412 12416 12417 12419 12420 12428 12429 12432 12433 12435 12440 12443 12446 12448 12449 12453 12456 12457 12458 All Ulster County frost dates · New York frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.