Cayuga, NY frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Cayuga compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cayuga falls between April 20 and May 18, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New York median of May 3.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 1,610 New York places with a regular frost season (state median 163 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Syracuse, NY, 47 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Cayuga, NY
Cayuga, NY frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 18, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cayuga, NY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Auburn, NY weather station, 13 km away (elevation 771 ft (235 m)).
Frost dates near Cayuga
- Seneca Falls Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Union Springs May 1 · Oct 21
- Montezuma May 2 · Oct 18
- Auburn May 2 · Oct 18
- Fayette May 1 · Oct 21
- Waterloo Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Port Byron May 2 · Oct 18
- Scipio Center May 1 · Oct 21
- Aurora May 1 · Oct 21
- Weedsport May 2 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cayuga, NY?
The median last spring frost in Cayuga, NY is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cayuga, NY?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Cayuga, NY?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cayuga, NY?
Cayuga, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.