When to plant zucchini / summer squash in New York
New York’s average last spring frost is May 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 157 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New York's growing season.
New York covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in New York: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 1 – May 18, with seeds started indoors Apr 3 – Apr 17. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in New York: Jun 5 · Jul 3 · Jul 31
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow zucchini / summer squash in New York, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 3 – Apr 17). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 1 – May 18). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Jun 22 – Jul 7). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use New York’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in New York
New York spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant zucchini / summer squash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| New York (this page) | May 1 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 14 – May 31 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 13 – May 30 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 12 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 12 |
Questions gardeners in New York ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in New York?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in New York between May 1 and May 18. That timing is set by New York's average last spring frost of May 1; New York spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in New York?
Start seeds indoors between April 3 and April 17, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 1.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in New York?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 3 and July 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before New York's first frost around October 5.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in New York be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 22 to July 7, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in New York?
On average around May 1, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 157 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.