Ithaca, NY Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Ithaca, New York.
Gardening in Ithaca
Cornell University's hometown sits in the Finger Lakes, where world-class agricultural research meets one of New York's most food-conscious communities.
Zone 5b with 157 frost-free days. The Cayuga Lake influence extends the season for lakeside gardens. The surrounding gorges create dramatic microclimates. Cornell's research plots are the most sophisticated gardens in the region.
'Ithaca is Gorges' — and its food culture is equally spectacular. Cornell's agricultural heritage gives Ithaca gardeners access to cutting-edge growing research. The Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing is legendary.
What This Means for Ithaca Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
Ithaca'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 Ithaca.
More About Zone 5B
Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca (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.