When To Plant Vegetables In Upstate Ny

Knowing when to plant vegetables in upstate NY is the single most important factor for a succesful garden. Our unique climate, with its late springs and early frosts, demands careful timing. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy a bounty of fresh produce. Get it wrong, and you might face disappointment. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to perfect your planting schedule.

First, you need to understand your local frost dates. The average last spring frost and first fall frost frame your entire growing season. In upstate New York, these dates vary significantly. For example, Buffalo might see its last frost around May 5, while Saranac Lake could wait until June 1. Your local cooperative extension office is the best resource for precise dates.

Vegetables are grouped by their cold tolerance. This tells you when they can safely go into the ground.

Cool-Season Crops: These can handle light frosts and colder soil. Plant them early in spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. Examples include peas, spinach, kale, lettuce, radishes, and carrots.
Warm-Season Crops: These need warm soil and no frost. They are planted after all danger of frost has passed. Examples include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, and corn.

This calendar provides a general framework. Always adjust for your specific location and current weather conditions. A cold, wet spring will delay planting, while a warm, dry one might allow you to start a little earlier.

Early to Mid-April Planting

As soon as the soil is workable—not frozen or a muddy clump—you can begin. This is often a few weeks before the last frost. Focus on the hardiest seeds and transplants.

Direct Seed: Peas, spinach, arugula, radishes, and parsnips. Onion sets and potato pieces can also go in now.
Transplants: You can plant out started broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts if you have them.

Late April to Mid-May Planting

The soil continues to warm. You can add more varieties, but keep an eye on the forcast for any late cold snaps.

Direct Seed: Beets, carrots, Swiss chard, lettuce, and kale. Turnips and kohlrabi are also good choices now.
Transplants: More hardy greens and cole crops (like cauliflower) can be set out.

Late May to Early June Planting (After Last Frost)

This is the main planting period for summer favorites. Ensure your soil is truly warm, especially for crops like cucumbers and melons.

Direct Seed: Beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, and melons. Succession plant more lettuce and radishes.
Transplants: This is the time for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and basil. Harden them off for a week before planting.

Midsummer Planting (For Fall Harvest)

Don’t forget about fall! Many crops thrive in the cooler autumn weather. You’ll need to count backwards from your first fall frost date.

10-12 weeks before first frost: Plant broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprout transplants.
8-10 weeks before first frost: Direct seed beets, carrots, fast-maturing beans, and Swiss chard.
6-8 weeks before first frost: Sow spinach, lettuce, arugula, and radishes for a late harvest.

Using a Soil Thermometer

This simple tool removes the guesswork. It’s one of the best investments a gardener can make.

Insert the thermometer 2-3 inches into the soil in the morning for an accurate reading.
Plant cool-season crops when soil is consistently above 45°F.
Wait to plant warm-season crops until soil is reliably above 60°F (70°F for melons and sweet potatoes).

Starting Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start and access to more varieties. The key is timing it right so seedlings are ready for transplant at the ideal outdoor date.

Sample Indoor Start Schedule

10-12 weeks before last frost: Start onions and leeks.
8 weeks before last frost: Start broccoli, cabbage, and lettuce.
6-8 weeks before last frost: Start tomatoes and peppers.
4 weeks before last frost: Start cucumbers and squash (they grow fast and don’t like root disturbance).

Protecting Your Plants from the Cold

Upstate weather is unpredictable. Having protection ready can save your plants from a suprise frost.

Row Covers: Lightweight fabric that lets in light and water while providing a few degrees of frost protection. Great for early spring and extending the fall season.
Cloches: Plastic or glass domes placed over individual plants. A simple milk jug with the bottom cut out works well.
Cold Frames: Bottomless boxes with transparent lids. They create a mini-greenhouse effect for hardening off transplants or growing cold-hardy greens into winter.

Adapting to Your Specific Microclimate

Your own yard has unique conditions. Observe them to refine your timing.

South-Facing Slopes: Warm up fastest in spring. You can often plant there a week or two earlier.
Low Spots or North-Facing Areas: Collect cold air and frost. Plant there a week or two later.
Urban Gardens: Cities are often warmer than surrounding rural areas due to the “heat island” effect.
Near Bodies of Water: Large lakes can moderate temperatures, delaying spring but extending fall.

Common Timing Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make these errors. Here’s what to watch out for.

Planting Too Early: Impatience is the biggest enemy. Warm-season plants stunted by cold will rarely catch up to those planted later in warm soil.
Ignoring Soil Temperature: Seeds rot in cold, wet soil. A soil thermometer is your best friend.
Not Hardening Off Transplants: Moving tender seedlings directly from indoors to the garden shocks them. Acclimate them to sun and wind over 7-10 days.
Forgetting Succession Planting: Sow quick crops like lettuce and radishes every two weeks for a continuous harvest, instead of one big glut.

FAQ: Planting Vegetables in Upstate New York

When is it safe to plant tomatoes outside in upstate NY?
Wait until after your area’s average last spring frost date. For most areas, this is late May or early June. Ensure nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F.

What can I plant in early spring up here?
As soon as the ground thaws, plant peas, spinach, radishes, and onion sets. These crops actually prefer cool weather and can handle a light frost.

How do I find my exact frost dates?
Search online for “frost dates” along with your ZIP code or town name. The National Gardening Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension websites have excellent tools.

Is it to late to start a garden in June?
Not at all! You can plant warm-season crops like beans, squash, and cucumbers. You can also start planning for fall by planting broccoli and kale transplants or fast-maturing carrots and beets.

What vegetables grow best in our shorter season?
Choose varieties labeled “early season” or with a low “days to maturity” number. Many seed catalogs have sections specifically for northern gardeners.

Should I use mulch in my vegetable garden?
Absolutely. Mulch supresses weeds, conserves moisture, and moderates soil temperature. Apply it after the soil has warmed up in early summer.

By following this calender and paying attention to your garden’s conditions, you’ll master the timing for upstate New York. Remember, gardening is part science and part observation. Keep notes from year to year, and you’ll develop an intuitive sense for the perfect planting times in your own backyard.