Cicero, NY planting zone & frost dates

Cicero is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 29 and the first fall frost around October 19, for a growing season of about 173 days.

USDA hardiness zone5bavg. extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F

Average last spring frostApril 2990% chance of no frost after May 13

Average first fall frostOctober 1910% chance of frost by October 2

Growing season173 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Cicero

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 29) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15
Beans	Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 19).

Useful for zone 5b gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 16	Apr 29	May 13
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 4	Oct 19	Oct 2

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 13, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 16.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cicero

13039 zone 5b

Nearby cities

Clay zone 5b, last frost May 4
Syracuse zone 6a, last frost Apr 29
Fairmount zone 6a, last frost Apr 29
Fulton zone 6a, last frost Apr 27
Oneida zone 5b, last frost May 1
Oswego zone 6a, last frost Apr 22
Auburn zone 6a, last frost May 2
Cortland zone 5b, last frost May 7

All cities in New York → · Other zone 5b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Cicero, NY?

Cicero is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Cicero?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cicero is April 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 13.

When can I plant tomatoes in Cicero?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 6 – May 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap, NY (USW00014771), 7.3 km (4.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 126 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.