Reveal of the 2025 New - Year List for Planting in New York City!

Introduction

New York City offers a unique and diverse landscape for planting. Whether you're an urban gardener with a small balcony, a community gardener in a neighborhood plot, or involved in large - scale landscape restoration projects, understanding the best times to plant is crucial for a successful garden. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the 2025 new - year planting list for New York City, including the ideal planting times for various vegetables, the use of goats in land - clearing and planting projects, and answer some frequently asked questions about planting in this vibrant metropolis.

Planting Calendar for Different Crops in New York City

Spring Planting

Spring is a bustling time for planting in New York City. The first step in planning your spring garden is to know your last spring frost date. On average, in New York City (at New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY climate station, elevation 131 feet), the last spring frost occurs on April 3.

There are different methods of starting your plants: starting seeds indoors, planting seedlings outdoors, or starting seeds directly outdoors. Here's a detailed breakdown of spring planting dates for some common crops based on the almanac:

It's important to note that for crops like arugula, starting seeds indoors early gives them a head start. For those who missed the early indoor - sowing window, direct - sowing in March can still yield a good crop. Asparagus is usually started from crowns outdoors around the specified time. Basil is a warm - season herb, so it should be planted after the threat of frost has passed.

Fall Planting

Fall planting in New York City is like a second summer for many gardeners. When we talk about fall planting, we're often referring to planting in the summer for a fall harvest. The average first fall frost in New York City (at New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY climate station) occurs on November 14. Here are some fall - planting dates for common crops:

Arugula, being frost - hardy, can be sown relatively late in the fall for a harvest even after the first frosts. Beets and bok choy also have good frost tolerance, allowing for a fall crop. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts need to be started earlier in the summer to reach maturity before the harsher winter cold sets in.

Goats in New York City Planting Projects

Prospect Park's Project

Goats have played a significant role in landscape restoration projects in New York City. In Prospect Park, a team of goats was employed to clear invasive species like poison ivy from the steep slopes of the park. The project in the Vale of Cashmere area started in the spring of 2016. As reported by The New York Times, the goats, including a Nubian goat named Eyebrows, a Nigerian Dwarf goat named Lily Belle, and an Alpine goat named Swiss Cheese, ate more than their weight in invasive plants. A season of goat rental cost $15,000, but they provided an environmentally safe alternative to using herbicides.

After the goats cleared the area, park workers planted 1,821 trees, 2,168 shrubs, 887 ferns, and 16,993 herbaceous plugs. The new plantings, including black oak, dogwood, spicebush, and native ferns, will help make the woodlands more resilient in future storms.

Riverside Park's Projects

The Riverside Park Conservancy has also utilized goats for land - clearing. In 2023, a team of goats returned for their third year to clear invasive plants from the steep western slopes of Riverside Park’s Forever Wild Woodland between 119th and 122nd streets. In 2024, the goats were assigned a new job site at West 143rd street in Riverside Park, north of their previous location.

The goats' tenure in 2024 kicked off with a “Goatham Festival and Ribbon - Chewing” on July 12 at the lawn north of Ten Mile River Playground at 151st street. The event included a meet - and - greet with the goats, local vendor booths, live music, and educational activities. The goats' presence not only helps in clearing invasive plants but also educates the public about local sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are the planting dates?

The planting dates provided in the calendars are based on historical frost - date averages. While they serve as a good planning guide, they are not absolute predictions for the coming year. Some locations in the U.S., including parts of New York City, may have microclimates. A low - lying area or the side of a slope can have different temperature and frost conditions compared to the general area. It's important to watch the local weather, talk to fellow gardeners, and keep records of what works in your specific garden.

Why do you start seeds indoors?

Starting seeds indoors gives crops a head start, which is especially crucial in regions with a short growing season like New York City. Young, tender plants can grow in a stable and controlled environment indoors. Outdoors, factors like rain, drought, frost, extreme temperatures, sunlight, pests, and diseases can be unpredictable and harmful to young plants. By starting seeds indoors, you can control elements such as temperature, light, and moisture to maximize early growth. For most crops that can be started indoors, seeds should be sown about 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost date.

Which seeds should be started indoors?

Not all vegetables are suitable for indoor starting. Crops that are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures or have a long growing season benefit from indoor sowing. This includes tender vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, as well as crops with a long growth period such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Root crops like carrots, radishes, and beets are better off being sown directly in the garden because they don't like having their roots disturbed after planting. Squash and watermelon also need to be sown directly but only when the soil is warm enough.

When should you transplant seedlings?

It's time to transplant seedlings when they outgrow their seed trays or starter pots. If it's still too cold to plant outdoors, you can transplant them to larger plastic or peat pots indoors and continue caring for them. If outdoor conditions allow, start hardening off the seedlings about one week before the last frost date. Hardening off involves gradually exposing the seedlings to outdoor conditions, such as sunlight and wind, for short periods each day. After hardening off, the seedlings can be transplanted into the garden.

What is planting by the moon?

Planting by the moon is a traditional gardening method. It involves planting annual flowers and vegetables that bear crops above - ground during the light or waxing phase of the moon (from the new moon to the full moon). Flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops below - ground are planted during the dark or waning phase of the moon (from the day after the full moon to the day before the new moon again). Some old - time farmers believe that this practice leads to a larger and tastier harvest, and that's why moon - based planting dates are included in some planting calendars.

Conclusion

In summary, the 2025 new - year planting list for New York City offers a wealth of opportunities for gardeners of all levels. Understanding the planting calendars for different crops, taking advantage of goats in land - clearing and restoration projects, and being aware of common gardening questions can help you have a successful gardening season. Whether you're growing vegetables in a small balcony garden or contributing to large - scale landscape projects, New York City provides a unique and exciting environment for planting.

Now that you have this comprehensive guide, it's time to get started on your 2025 planting journey. Plan your garden, choose the right crops, and enjoy the process of growing your own food or contributing to the city's green spaces. Share this information with other gardening enthusiasts in New York City and encourage them to make the most of the upcoming planting season!