Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 12029 (Columbia County, 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, Pittsfield Muni AP, MA (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)152 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 12029, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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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
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (46 mi), Lye Brook (48 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Millbrook 3 W (46 mi), Lye Brook (48 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 12029 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 54°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 21 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 19 | Sep 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
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 12029
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 5). 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 10–24 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 24–Mar 10 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 24–Mar 10 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 10–24 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 10–24 | Apr 14–May 5 (transplant) Apr 7–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–31 (transplant) Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–31 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) Jun 29–Jul 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–May 5 (transplant) Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) Jun 29–Jul 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 15–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 24–Apr 7 | Apr 21–May 12 (transplant) Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 31–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 26–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 7–14 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 7–14 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 10–24 | May 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (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: Pittsfield Muni AP, MA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00014763), elevation 1,194 ft, 7.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenox Dale, MA | 11 mi | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Valatie 1 N, NY | 13 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Copake, NY | 22 mi | May 4 | Oct 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 12029
When is the last frost in 12029?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 12029 is May 5. For a more cautious planting date, use May 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 12029?
The average first fall freeze is October 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 23.
What hardiness zone is 12029?
ZIP 12029 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 12029 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
01254 12060 12195 12125 12017 12136 12024 01266
Other ZIP codes in Columbia County
12017 12024 12037 12060 12075 12106 12115 12125 12130 12132 12136 12165 12172 12173 12174 12184 12195 12502 12503 12513 12516 12517 12521 12523 All Columbia 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.