Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 13033 (Cato, 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, Fulton, NY (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)180 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 13033, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 48°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Geneva #1 (32 mi), Ithaca 13 E (54 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Geneva #1 (32 mi), Ithaca 13 E (54 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 13033 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 24: 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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 27 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 9 |
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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 7 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 27 | Oct 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 14 | Nov 5 |
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 13033
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 24). 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 2–16 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 16–Mar 2 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 16–Mar 2 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 2–16 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 2–16 | Apr 6–27 (transplant) Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 27 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 16–30 | Apr 13–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 23–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 18–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 16–30 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 2–16 | May 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 16–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (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: Fulton, NY (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00303087), elevation 360 ft, 12.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton Oswego Co AP, NY | 15 mi | May 2 | Oct 16 |
| Auburn, NY | 18 mi | May 2 | Oct 18 |
| Oswego, NY | 18 mi | Apr 22 | Oct 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 13033
When is the last frost in 13033?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 13033 is April 27. For a more cautious planting date, use May 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 13033?
The average first fall freeze is October 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 4.
What hardiness zone is 13033?
ZIP 13033 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 13033 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
13113 Meridian 13111 13166 Weedsport 13143 Red Creek 13080 Jordan 13074 Hannibal 13140 Port Byron 13112
Other ZIP codes in Cayuga County
13021 13024 13026 13034 13071 13081 13092 13111 13113 13117 13118 13140 13147 13156 13160 13166 All Cayuga County frost dates · New York frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.