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Planting Calendar for Watertown, NY

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 6 (at WATERTOWN, NY climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 18-Sep 22
Moon Aug 18-19, Sep 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 14-Aug 11
Moon Jul 22-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 28-Aug 18
Moon Aug 4-18
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 7-14
Moon Jul 7-14
Frost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Aug 4-11
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 16-30
Moon Jun 16-21
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 7-14
Moon Jul 7-14
Frost Jul 28-Aug 4
Moon Aug 4
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 21-28
Moon Jul 22-28
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 30-Jul 7
Moon Jul 5-7
Frost Jul 14-21
Moon Jul 14-21
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 14-Aug 11
Moon Jul 14-21, Aug 4-11
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 7-21
Moon Jul 7-21
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 20-Nov 3
Moon Oct 20-31
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 21-Aug 4
Moon Jul 21
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Aug 4-11
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 4-25
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Aug 4-11
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 4-25
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Aug 4-11
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 25-Sep 8
Moon Aug 25-Sep 1
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 18-Sep 8
Moon Aug 18-19, Sep 2-8
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Aug 4-11
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 4-18
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 8 (at WATERTOWN, NY climate station, elevation 498 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Sep 8
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 24-May 6
May 8
BasilFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
Aug 25
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 24-May 6
Frost Apr 10-17
May 22
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
N/AJul 14
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jun 19
BroccoliFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Aug 4
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Jun 30
CabbageFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 15
CantaloupesFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jun 30
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 24
Jul 28
CauliflowerFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
N/AJul 21
CeleryFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 8
Moon May 8
Jul 28
ChivesFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Aug 11
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
May 29
CollardsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Jul 28
CucumbersFrost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jul 28
DillN/AN/AFrost May 1-22
Moon May 7-22
Aug 11
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jun 30
EggplantsFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
N/AJul 28
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
FennelFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Jul 21
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 15-Jun 5
Moon May 15-23
Jul 28
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jul 7
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
KohlrabiFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
LeeksFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
N/AJun 23
LettuceFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
Jul 28
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 24
N/AJun 30
OreganoFrost Feb 27-Mar 27
Moon Mar 14-25
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
N/AJul 28
ParsleyFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost Apr 10-May 15
Moon Apr 10-23, May 7-15
Jul 21
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Jun 30
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 29-Jun 12
Moon May 29-Jun 5
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 24
Jul 28
PumpkinsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jun 23
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Aug 11
RosemaryFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
N/AAug 11
SageFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
N/AJul 21
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 24
Jun 30
SpinachFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 22
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
Jul 21
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 24-Jun 5
Jun 23
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 17-May 8
Moon Apr 17-23, May 7-8
May 22
ThymeFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/AJul 14
TomatillosFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
N/AJul 21
TomatoesFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
N/AJul 7
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Sep 8
WatermelonsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jul 7
Winter SquashFrost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Jun 16
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 17-24
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 22-23
Aug 4
The Old Farmer's Store