Frost Dates for Auburn, NY 13021
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 15 · 166 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 13021 has about 37,200 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Auburn.
Moderate season: 166 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 12 (20 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 29 (31 days).
Frost probability for 13021
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | May 2 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 15 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AURORA RSCH FARM (22.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Auburn, NY
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13021 | May 2 | October 15 | 6a |
| 13024 | May 2 | October 15 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 166-day season in Auburn
In Auburn (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 16. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 16. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 11. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 7. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 4. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 4. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 271 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 222 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 9. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 16. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 25. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 4. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 16. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 16. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 23. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after May 9. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 166 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 166 available after May 9. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 16. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 16. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 145 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 145 available after May 9. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 16. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 2. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 9. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 9. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Auburn
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Auburn, NY (ZIP 13021)?
The median last spring frost date for Auburn, NY (ZIP code 13021) is around May 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 22; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Auburn, NY?
The median first fall frost date for Auburn, NY is around October 15. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Auburn, NY?
The frost-free growing season in Auburn is about 166 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Auburn (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Auburn, NY?
Auburn, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Auburn, NY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Auburn. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Auburn?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Auburn?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Skaneateles, NY 13152 (8.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Seneca Falls, NY 13148 (11.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Camillus, NY 13031 (15.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Baldwinsville, NY 13027 (19.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Geneva, NY 14456 (23.1 mi)
- When to plant in NY
- When to plant Peppers in NY
- When to plant Cucumbers in NY
- When to plant Zucchini in NY
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NY
- When to plant Basil in NY
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NY
- Look up another ZIP