Bradford, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 18median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Bradford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bradford falls between April 30 and May 31, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 21 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 17 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 169 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Buffalo, NY, 103 km away, the last frost here is 24 days later than there and the growing season is 46 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bradford, PA
Bradford, PA frost dates — last frost May 18, first frost Oct 4, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 22
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bradford, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 20 – May 25 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Basil | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bradford 4sw Rsch, PA weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,660 ft (506 m)).
Frost dates near Bradford
- Custer City May 18 · Oct 4
- Derrick City May 7 · Oct 11
- Rew May 18 · Oct 1
- Gifford May 18 · Oct 1
- Duke Center May 7 · Oct 11
- Rixford May 7 · Oct 11
- Lewis Run May 18 · Oct 1
- Cyclone May 18 · Oct 1
- Eldred May 7 · Oct 11
- Smethport May 15 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bradford, PA?
The median last spring frost in Bradford, PA is May 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bradford, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Bradford, PA?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bradford, PA?
Bradford, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.