Saint James, NY planting zone & frost dates
Saint James is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 208 days.
Planting calendar for Saint James
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 15) 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 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
Useful for zone 7b 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 | Apr 1 | Apr 15 | May 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 24 | Nov 10 | Oct 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Saint James
- 11780 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Nesconset zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Lake Grove zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Stony Brook zone 7b, last frost Apr 15
- Smithtown zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Lake Ronkonkoma zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Ronkonkoma zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Centereach zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Hauppauge zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
Questions
What growing zone is Saint James, NY?
Saint James is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Saint James?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Saint James is April 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Saint James?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 22 – Apr 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Setauket Strong, NY (USC00307633), 9.9 km (6.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 12 m, based on 13 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.