When to plant in Syracuse, NY
USDA Zone 6aSyracuse, New York frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Syracuse sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Syracuse is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Syracuse’s own odds, recorded at SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 23 | May 8 | Apr 26 | Sep 24 | Oct 5 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 13 | Apr 29 | Apr 16 | Oct 2 | Oct 19 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 30 | Apr 16 | Apr 4 | Oct 16 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Syracuse, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Syracuse planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Syracuse, NY?
On average, the last spring frost in Syracuse is around April 29 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Syracuse, NY?
In Syracuse, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 19 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Syracuse in?
Syracuse is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Syracuse?
There are roughly 173 frost-free days in Syracuse (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 29 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Syracuse?
In Syracuse, start tomato seeds indoors around March 4–March 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 6 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Syracuse
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Syracuse’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, 8 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Syracuse, NY — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014771. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-york/syracuse.