First Planting Dates

Columbia and Greene Counties contain multiple plant hardiness zones from 4-6. Refer to the Plant Hardiness Zone Map on the left sidebar to find the exact zone for your zip code. The majority of the properties in both counties fall between 5B and 6A. For these zones, the last average frost date is April 8, and the first average fall frost is October 23. The chart below shows the dates various popular garden vegetables can be planted as seeds, sets or transplants.

First Seeding & Transplanting Dates for Vegetables in NY

* Indicates variety is transplanted
(x) Indicates variety may be transplanted or seeded. If transplanted probably should be later than date given.
(t) Indicates variety may be transplants, sets or seed.

As early as garden may be worked in spring or about April 15.

After the date of the last average frost in the Hudson and Acra areas (May 14).

After the soil has become warm in spring-June 1.

   Beets
   Broccoli (x)
   Brussels Sprouts (x)
   Cabbage (x)
   Carrots
   Cauliflower (x)
   Celery (x)
   Endive
   Kale
   Kohlrabi
   Leeks
   Lettuce
   Mustard
   Onions (t)
   Parsley
   Peas
   Radish
   Swiss Chard
   Spinach
   Turnips
   Rutabagas

   Beans
   Eggplant*
   Pepper*
   Popcorn
   Potatoes
   Sweet Corn
   Tomatoes*

   Basil
   Cucumber
   Muskmelon*
   Okra*
   Pumpkins*
   Squashes, Summer
   Squashes, Winter*
   Watermelon*

Last updated March 14, 2024

Food Gardening

Find Your Zone!

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The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners and growers determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is available as an interactive GIS-based map. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.

NY State Freeze Zone

Visit the NOAA website for a chart of freeze dates in our area.

Seed Viability Information

image of fact sheet from Virginia Cooperative Extension on "Seed Viability" (230px wide) for use as sidebar image link in fact sheet.

The Seed For The Garden handout from Virginia Cooperative Extension covers how to save and start seeds, and includes a list of how long you can expect various types of vegetable seeds to remain viable.