Syracuse, NY planting zone & frost dates
Syracuse is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. 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.
Planting calendar for Syracuse
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 6a 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 Syracuse
- 13201 zone 6a
- 13202 zone 6a
- 13203 zone 6a
- 13204 zone 6a
- 13205 zone 6a
- 13206 zone 6a
- 13207 zone 6a
- 13208 zone 6a
- 13209 zone 6a
- 13210 zone 6a
- 13211 zone 6a
- 13212 zone 6a
- 13214 zone 6a
- 13215 zone 6a
- 13217 zone 6a
- 13218 zone 6a
- 13219 zone 6a
- 13220 zone 6a
- 13221 zone 6a
- 13224 zone 6a
- 13225 zone 6a
- 13235 zone 6a
- 13244 zone 6a
- 13250 zone 6a
- 13251 zone 6a
- 13252 zone 6a
- 13261 zone 6a
- 13290 zone 6a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Syracuse, NY?
Syracuse is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Syracuse?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Syracuse is April 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 13.
When can I plant tomatoes in Syracuse?
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), 7.8 km (4.8 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.