Riverhead, NY planting zone & frost dates
Riverhead is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around November 9, for a growing season of about 215 days.
Planting calendar for Riverhead
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 9).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 27 | Apr 6 | Apr 19 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 22 | Nov 9 | Oct 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 19, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Riverhead
- 11901 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Manorville zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Hampton Bays zone 7a, last frost May 7
- Mastic zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Ridge zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Shirley zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Mastic Beach zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Rocky Point zone 7b, last frost Apr 4
- Middle Island zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
Questions
What growing zone is Riverhead, NY?
Riverhead is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Riverhead?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Riverhead is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 19.
When can I plant tomatoes in Riverhead?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Riverhead Rsch Farm, NY (USC00307134), 6.8 km (4.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 30 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.