Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 11718 (Brightwaters, 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, Farmingdale AP, NY (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)213 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°F avg. coldest night
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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
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 11718 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 6: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Mar 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 20 |
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) | Oct 25 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 6 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 27 | Nov 19 |
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 11718
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 6). 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 | Feb 9–23 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 9–23 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 9–23 | Mar 16–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 9–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 2–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 9–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 12–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 17–31 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 9–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 9–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 12–26 | Apr 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (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: Farmingdale AP, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00054787), elevation 81 ft, 8.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molloy Cercom, NY | 9 mi | Apr 4 | Nov 11 |
| Islip Li Macarthur AP, NY | 10 mi | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| Centerport, NY | 13 mi | Apr 9 | Nov 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 11718
When is the last frost in 11718?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 11718 is April 6. For a more cautious planting date, use April 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 11718?
The average first fall freeze is November 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 25.
What hardiness zone is 11718?
ZIP 11718 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 11718 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
11706 Bay Shore 11795 West Islip 11751 Islip 11703 North Babylon 11730 East Islip 11729 Deer Park 11717 Brentwood 11739 Great River
Other ZIP codes in Suffolk County
06390 11701 11702 11703 11704 11705 11706 11713 11715 11716 11717 11719 11720 11721 11722 11724 11725 11726 11727 11729 11730 11731 11733 11735 All Suffolk 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.