Frost dates for ZIP 13117 (Cayuga County, NY)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Auburn, NY (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)166 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Geneva #1 (19 mi), Ithaca 13 E (46 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Geneva #1 (19 mi), Ithaca 13 E (46 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 13117 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 54°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 18: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 2 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 18 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 2 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 13 | Oct 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 2 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 22 | Nov 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 13117
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 18). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 7–21 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 21–Mar 7 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 21–Mar 7 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 7–21 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 7–21 | Apr 11–May 2 (transplant) Apr 4–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 21–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–May 2 (transplant) Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Apr 18–May 9 (transplant) Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 28–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 7–21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 21–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 23–Jun 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 23–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 4–11 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 4–11 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 7–21 | May 9–16 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Auburn, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00300321), elevation 770 ft, 9.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva Rsch Farm, NY | 19 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Aurora Rsch Farm, NY | 19 mi | May 1 | Oct 21 |
| Sodus 1W, NY | 25 mi | May 6 | Oct 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 13117
When is the last frost in 13117?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 13117 is May 2. For a more cautious planting date, use May 18, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 13117?
The average first fall freeze is October 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 3.
What hardiness zone is 13117?
ZIP 13117 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 13117 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
13034 Cayuga 13140 Port Byron 13146 Savannah 13148 Seneca Falls 13024 Auburn 13166 Weedsport 13154 14433 Clyde
Other ZIP codes in Cayuga County
13021 13024 13026 13033 13034 13071 13081 13092 13111 13113 13118 13140 13147 13156 13160 13166 All Cayuga County frost dates · New York frost dates
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