Fall in zone 4aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 12970 (Paul Smiths, 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, Saranac Rgnl AP, NY (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)97 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4a-30 to -25°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 12970 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
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) | May 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 2 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 19 |
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) | Aug 26 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 24 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 2 | Sep 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 21 | Sep 23 |
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 12970
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 2) and first fall frost (Sep 9). 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 | Apr 7–21 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 24–Apr 7 | Jun 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 24–Apr 7 | Jun 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 7–21 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 7–21 | May 12–Jun 2 (transplant) May 5–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 5 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 21–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 7–21 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Jun 17–Jul 15 (transplant) Jun 3–Jul 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 7–21 | May 5–Jun 2 (transplant) May 5–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 17–Jul 15 (transplant) Jun 3–Jul 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) | Jun 3–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) | Jun 3–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | Jun 3–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | May 20–Jun 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 7–21 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 5–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 21–May 5 | May 19–Jun 9 (transplant) May 19–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 5–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 12–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 28–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 12–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 10–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Jul 29–Aug 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 23–Jul 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 5–12 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 5–12 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 5–12 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 5–12 | Jun 16–30 (transplant) Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 5–12 | Jun 16–30 (transplant) Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 21–May 5 | Jun 16–30 (transplant) Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 10–24 | Jun 9–16 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 21–May 5 | Jun 9–23 (transplant) Jun 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 19–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 12–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (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: Saranac Rgnl AP, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00094740), elevation 1,663 ft, 7.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Brook, NY | 16 mi | May 21 | Sep 24 |
| Tupper Lake Sunmount, NY | 16 mi | May 16 | Sep 28 |
| Lake Placid 2 S, NY | 20 mi | May 27 | Sep 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 12970
When is the last frost in 12970?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 12970 is June 2. For a more cautious planting date, use June 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 12970?
The average first fall freeze is September 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 26.
What hardiness zone is 12970?
ZIP 12970 is in USDA zone 4a (-30 to -25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 12970 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
12976 12939 12945 12983 Saranac Lake 12980 St. Regis Falls 12989 12977 12973
Other ZIP codes in Franklin County
12913 12914 12915 12916 12917 12920 12926 12930 12937 12939 12945 12953 12957 12966 12969 12976 12980 12983 12986 12989 13655 All Franklin County frost dates · New York frost dates
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- 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.