Binghamton, NY Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Binghamton, New York.
Gardening in Binghamton
The Southern Tier's river city sits where the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers meet. The valley convergence creates fertile growing ground in a climate that's colder than most of New York.
Zone 5b with 157 frost-free days. The river valley provides moderated conditions and fertile bottomland. Southern Tier climate is cloudier and wetter than most of New York.
Binghamton's revitalization includes community gardens that serve the city's diverse refugee communities. The Rod Serling's hometown grows food with genuine Twilight Zone determination.
What This Means for Binghamton Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Binghamton is around May 1, and the average first fall frost arrives around October 5. That gives you approximately 157 frost-free days to work with.
At 157 days, you're working with a compressed but productive window. Choose varieties by their days-to-maturity number — anything under 75 days is safe, 75-90 requires indoor starting, and 90+ is a calculated risk. The tradeoff: your cool, moderate summers are excellent for crops that heat-zone gardeners struggle with. Your lettuce doesn't bolt in June. Your peas produce for weeks longer. Cool-season crops are your superpower.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Binghamton area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Binghamton
Binghamton's 157-day season gives you plenty of time for most vegetables with good planning. Start warm-season crops indoors to maximize your window. Cool-season crops thrive in your spring and fall shoulder seasons. Recommended starting points: tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, beans, broccoli, garlic, and basil.
See the full New York planting guide for all 40 plants: New York Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Binghamton.
More About Zone 5B
Binghamton is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5B, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between -15°F to -10°F. View the full Zone 5B planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for New York: New York Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Binghamton area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Binghamton (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Start warm-season seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost (May 1) to maximize your 157-day window. Direct sow cold-hardy crops like peas and lettuce 3-4 weeks before last frost. Every week of early indoor starting matters at this season length. Enter your zip code for exact dates.