Planting calendar for New York City, New York

Dates from 30 years of records at the New York Cntrl Pk Twr weather station, 4.9 miles from New York City, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

New York City at a glance

Weather station: New York Cntrl Pk Twr · 4.9 mi
USDA zone: 7b
Last spring frost: typically Mar 30; 1 year in 10 after Apr 9
First fall frost: typically Nov 20; 1 year in 10 before Nov 6
Frost-free season: about 235 days
Hottest month: July: highs 85°F, nights 70°F
Coldest month: January: highs 40°F, nights 28°F
Rain: 50 in. a year, most in June, July and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in New York City typically comes around Mar 30, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 9. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 20. That leaves about 235 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

New York City gets about 50 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, July and August.

164 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 10 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in New York City, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock

February10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Fava bean, Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing)

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March70

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Fava bean, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

April56

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Basil, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May32

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pigeon pea, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Papalo, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Salsify, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Winter squash, Yardlong bean, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Celosia, Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Eggplant, Leek, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold, Snapdragon, Statice

July35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Borage, Lemongrass

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Spinach, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Turnip, Winged bean, Basil, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August55

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cilantro, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pansy / viola, Stock, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

September40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Annual salvia

October8

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in New York City

164 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 7–21, Sep 2–14	May 22–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 1–21	May 6–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 16–30	Mar 31–Apr 6	Jan 12–26	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 10–Apr 14, Aug 23–Oct 13	Feb 16–Mar 9, Apr 15–May 12, Jul 16–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 15–Sep 5	May 6–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 11–Aug 1	May 6–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 7–21, Jul 17–Aug 6	May 22–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 5–26	May 6–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 2–23, Aug 31–Sep 21	Mar 24–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 3–24	May 6–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 16–Apr 5, Aug 24–Sep 14	Apr 6–15, Jul 22–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 2–16, Aug 24–Sep 13	Mar 17–Apr 26, Jul 9–Aug 23	Jan 19–Feb 2, Jul 13–Aug 2	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 8–Apr 6, Aug 28–Oct 1	Mar 2–7, Apr 7–25, Jul 19–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 2–16, Aug 5–26	Mar 17–Apr 5, Jun 1–Aug 4	Jan 19–Feb 2, Jun 24–Jul 15	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 11–Sep 1	Mar 10–May 6, Jun 14–Aug 10	Jan 12–26, Jun 30–Jul 21	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 8	Mar 12–26	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 9–30, Aug 21–Sep 11	Mar 31–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 9–23, Aug 10–30	Mar 24–May 5, Jul 10–Aug 9	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 29–Jul 19	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 7–28	Apr 4–16, Apr 30–Jul 6	Jan 2–16, Apr 21–May 12	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 5–19, Jul 3–24	Apr 20, May 19–Jul 2	Jan 18–Feb 1, Apr 17–May 8	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 20–Apr 3	Apr 4–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 9–30, Aug 29–Sep 18	Mar 31–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 2–16, Sep 4–25	Mar 17–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 8–29	May 6–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 6–26	May 6–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 9–23, Aug 31–Sep 21	Mar 24–May 1, Jul 16–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 7–21, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 22–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 7–21, Jul 22–Aug 11	May 22–Jul 21	Mar 5–19, May 20–Jun 9	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 30–Dec 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 9–23, Aug 5–13	Mar 24–Apr 4	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 16–Mar 2	Mar 3–19	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 16–30, Aug 2–23	Mar 31–Apr 22, Jul 7–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 25–Apr 29, Sep 9–Oct 17	Mar 16–24, Apr 30–May 26, Aug 2–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 30–Dec 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 10–Jul 8	May 23–Jun 9, Jul 9–18	Apr 22–May 20	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 16–Mar 9, Sep 17–Oct 7	Mar 10–Sep 16	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 2–16, Sep 8–28	Mar 17–May 24, Jul 7–Sep 7	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Aug 1–Oct 6	Mar 30–May 12, Jun 14–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 2–16, Jul 26–Aug 16	Mar 17–Jul 25	May 24–Jun 14, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 8–Apr 7, Aug 19–Oct 3	Mar 2–7, Apr 8–May 4, Jul 7–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 9–28, Aug 14–Sep 16	Mar 29–Apr 16, Jul 10–Aug 13	Feb 2–21, Jul 10–Aug 12	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 2–19, Sep 17–Oct 15	Mar 20–Apr 4, Aug 17–Sep 16	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 18	Apr 4–18	Set out plants
Moringa	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 7–Apr 11, Aug 27–Oct 11	Feb 16–Mar 6, Apr 12–30, Jul 15–Aug 26	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 16–30, Jul 30–Sep 11	Mar 31–Apr 20, Jun 22–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 8–28	May 6–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 18	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 23–Jun 6, Aug 6–15	Jun 7–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 2–31, Jun 12–Aug 7	Feb 16–Mar 1, Apr 1–Jun 11	Mar 27–May 22, Dec 15–Jan 13	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 9–30	Mar 31–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 29–Sep 18	Mar 3–May 5, Jul 10–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 29–Sep 18	Mar 3–May 3, Jul 7–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–15	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 27–May 11, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 12–Jul 13	Feb 23–Mar 9, May 12–Jun 2	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 24–Aug 14	May 6–Jul 23	Feb 17–Mar 3, May 22–Jun 12	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 23–Jun 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Apr 21–28	Apr 29–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 17–Apr 3, Jun 22–Aug 3	Mar 2–16, Apr 4–26, May 30–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 21–May 5, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 6–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 7–21, Aug 14–Sep 4	May 22–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 2–9	Mar 10–Apr 11	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 16–Apr 27, Sep 10–Oct 25	Feb 23–Mar 15, Apr 28–May 24, Jul 31–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 2–19	Mar 20–Apr 6	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 2–16, Aug 10–31	Mar 17–24, Aug 5–9	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 9–30, Jun 17–Jul 8	Mar 31–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 23–Jun 6, Jun 17–Jul 7	Jun 7–16	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 16–Mar 2, Jul 31–Aug 21	Mar 3–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 23–Jun 6, Jul 19–Aug 5	Jun 7–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 16–Mar 27, Sep 14–Oct 20	Mar 28–Apr 19, Jul 22–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 11–31	May 6–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 30–Apr 20	Mar 9–29	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 21–28, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 29–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 8–Jul 2	May 23–Jun 7, Jul 3–10	Apr 20–May 14	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 9–30, Sep 5–26	Mar 31–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 11	Mar 10–24	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 8–28	May 6–Aug 7	Mar 3–17, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 6–13, Aug 13–Sep 2	Apr 14–Aug 12	Feb 16–23, Jun 25–Jul 15	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 7–21, Jul 26–Aug 16	May 22–Jul 25	Mar 19–Apr 2, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 26–Aug 16	May 6–Jul 25	Mar 3–17, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 6–Jul 23	Mar 3–17, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 2–16, Sep 10–Oct 1	Mar 17–May 24, Jul 7–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 9–23	Mar 24–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 7–21, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 22–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 21–May 5, Jun 29–Jul 20	May 6–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 23–Jun 6, Jul 24–Aug 4	Jun 7–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 13–Mar 13	Set out plants
Basil	May 7–14, Aug 6–26	May 15–Aug 5	Apr 2–9, Jul 2–22	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 29–Apr 27, Jul 18–Sep 12	Mar 23–28, Apr 28–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 9–23, Aug 11–Sep 1	Mar 24–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 2–16, Aug 26–Sep 16	Mar 17–May 12, Jun 17–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 12–Apr 4, Aug 31–Oct 1	Mar 9–11, Apr 5–15, Jul 21–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 16–31, Aug 19–Sep 23	Apr 1–18, Jul 17–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 4–Jul 2	May 7–Jun 3	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 23–Jun 6	Jun 7–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 16–23, Aug 27–Sep 17	Mar 24–Aug 26	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 20–Sep 10	May 6–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 30–Apr 17, Aug 18–Sep 29	Apr 18–May 16, Jul 16–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 6–28	Apr 29–May 25	Jan 19–Feb 10	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 23–Apr 13	Mar 16–22, Apr 14–27	Feb 16–Mar 9	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 1–25	Apr 6–30	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 9–Jul 7	May 23–Jun 8, Jul 8–18	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Marjoram	Apr 28–May 17	Apr 6–27, May 18–25	Mar 10–29	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 19–Apr 9	Mar 16–18, Apr 10–27	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Papalo	May 7–21	May 22–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 9–23, Aug 11–Sep 1	Mar 24–Aug 10	Jan 5–19, Jun 9–30	Set out plants
Rosemary	Apr 10–30	Apr 6–9, May 1–25	Jan 23–Feb 12	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 21–28	Apr 29–Aug 23	Mar 17–24	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 9–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 4	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 1–25	May 7–31	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 5–19	Apr 20–Aug 26	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 19–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 17–Mar 9	Mar 10–May 5	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 7–21, Jul 12–Aug 1	May 22–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 16	Mar 17–31	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 9–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 21	Mar 3–17	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 9–30	Mar 31–Apr 20	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 7–Apr 4	Mar 2–6, Apr 5–27	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 7–21, Jul 9–30	May 22–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 17–Aug 17	Apr 21–Jun 16, Aug 18–Sep 10	Apr 8–Jun 8	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 2–Apr 10, Aug 10–Sep 13	Apr 11–May 3, Jun 19–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 6–Aug 13	Mar 30–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 16–Apr 24, Aug 1–Sep 28	Apr 25–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 2–Apr 10, Aug 10–Sep 13	Apr 11–May 3, Jun 19–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 23–30, Jul 14–28	May 31–Jul 13	Apr 4–11, May 26–Jun 9	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 28–Jul 23	Apr 21–May 27, Jul 24–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 3–Jul 25	May 7–Jun 2, Jul 26–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 3–Jul 25	May 7–Jun 2, Jul 26–Aug 20	Apr 15–Jun 6	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–Apr 4	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 14–Aug 14	Apr 21–Jun 13, Aug 15–Sep 5	Apr 26–Jun 26	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 10–May 8	Mar 30–Apr 9, May 9–25	Mar 6–Apr 3	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 18–May 7, Jul 13–Sep 10	Apr 5–17, May 8–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 16–Mar 9, Sep 23–Oct 13	Mar 10–May 4, Aug 5–Sep 22	Jul 8–28, Dec 1–22	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 20–Aug 8	May 23–Jun 19, Aug 9–30	Apr 18–Jun 6	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Jan 12–Feb 9	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 2–16, Aug 1–22	Mar 17–Apr 5, Jun 15–Jul 31	May 30–Jun 20, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 14–Aug 11	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 10–Jul 1	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 16–30, Sep 10–Oct 1	Mar 31–May 6, Jul 21–Sep 9	Jan 12–26, Jul 9–30	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 5–19, Aug 20–Sep 9	Apr 20–Aug 19	Feb 15–Mar 1, Jul 2–22	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 1–Jul 24	Apr 21–May 31, Jul 25–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 9–Apr 24, Aug 6–Sep 30	Apr 25–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 11	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 4–Jul 27	May 7–Jun 3, Jul 28–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in New York City

These need a climate New York City doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 235 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 235 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 235 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Newark, NJ 9 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Bridgeport, CT 53 mi · last frost around Apr 5
Philadelphia, PA 81 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Wilmington, DE 105 mi · last frost around Apr 7
Providence, RI 155 mi · last frost around Apr 11
All New York cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the New York Cntrl Pk Twr station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).