Cornell Cooperative Extension

Albany County
seedlings in a flat
Image by Sandy Repp

Learn when to start seeds indoors, and when you can safely set them out!

First Planting Dates

In Albany County, the last average frost date is May 2, and the first average fall frost is October 3.  The chart below shows dates various popular garden vegetables can be planted as seeds, sets or transplants. 

First Seeding & Transplanting Dates for Vegetables in NY

*  Indicates variety is transplanted
(x) Indicates variety may be transplanted or seeded. If transplanted probably should be later than date given.
(t) Indicates variety may be transplants, sets or seed.

As early as garden may be worked in spring or about   April 15.

After the date of the last average frost in  Ithaca  area (May 14).

After the soil has become warm in spring-June 1.

   Beets
   Broccoli (x)
   Brussels Sprouts (x)
   Cabbage (x)
   Carrots
   Cauliflower (x)
   Celery (x)
   Endive
   Kale
   Kohlrabi
   Leeks
   Lettuce
   Mustard
   Onions (t)
   Parsley
   Peas
   Radish
   Swiss Chard
   Spinach
   Turnips
   Rutabagas

   Beans
   Eggplant*
   Pepper*
   Popcorn
   Potatoes
   Sweet Corn
   Tomatoes*

   Basil
   Cucumber
   Muskmelon*
   Okra*
   Pumpkins*
   Squashes, Summer
   Squashes, Winter*
   Watermelon*

Last updated January 24, 2024

Food Gardening

Find Your Zone!

2012 USDA Hardiness Zone Map

The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners and growers determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.

NY State Freeze Zone

Visit the NOAA website for a map of the last spring freeze dates in our area.


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Seed Viability Information

image of fact sheet from Virginia Cooperative Extension on "Seed Viability" (230px wide) for use as sidebar image link in fact sheet.

This handout from Virginia Cooperative Extension covers how to save and start seeds, and includes a list of how long you can expect various types of vegetable seeds to remain viable.

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