Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Squash (Summer) in New York

Zucchini and yellow squash are the garden's most generous producers. You'll be sharing with neighbors by midsummer.

The Short Answer

In New York, squash (summer) planting dates vary by region. In Adirondacks, your average last frost is around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York sees its last frost around May 1 - May 15. Since squash (summer) are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas.

New York Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New York you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Adirondacks 3b, 4a, 4b May 20 - Jun 5 Sep 5 - Sep 20
Capital Region/Hudson Valley 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
New York City/Long Island 7a, 7b Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 20 - Nov 10
Western New York 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10

Squash (Summer) Planting Schedule for New York

Adirondacks (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Capital Region/Hudson Valley (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

New York City/Long Island (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 10

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Western New York (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Squash (Summer) in New York

Squash (Summer) in New York's Climate

Your warm summers grow spectacular squash. Direct sow or transplant from mid-May. Squash vine borer emerges in late June — monitor stem bases for sawdust-like frass. Many Midwest and mid-Atlantic gardeners plant a second round in early July to replace borer-damaged early plants with clean late-season production.

Soil Considerations for New York

Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting squash (summer) outside.

New York Climate & Growing Season

Wide climate variation. NYC has mild winters. Adirondacks have very short seasons. Lake effect modifies weather near Great Lakes. Squash (Summer) cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across New York: Adirondacks (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York (5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 15. This difference matters for squash (summer) — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor. Larger squash become seedy and tough.

Companion Planting

Plant squash (summer) alongside these companions for better growth:

Corn Beans Nasturtiums

Keep squash (summer) away from:

Potatoes

The Bottom Line

Squash (Summer) can be grown successfully across New York, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Adirondacks gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Western New York can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Squash (Summer) Growing Guide National planting guide with all states New York Planting Calendar All plants for New York Squash (Summer) in Alabama Alabama planting dates Squash (Summer) in Alaska Alaska planting dates Squash (Summer) in Arizona Arizona planting dates Squash (Summer) in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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