Bristol, PA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between April 6 and May 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 73% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 16 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Bristol shares its weather station with Levittown, PA, 4 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Bristol, PA
Bristol, PA frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 25, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Neshaminy Falls, PA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Bristol
- Levittown Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Croydon Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Fairless Hills Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Bensalem Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Langhorne Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Morrisville Apr 17 · Oct 28
- Feasterville Trevose Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Southampton Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Richboro Apr 21 · Oct 25
- Huntingdon Valley Apr 4 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, PA?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, PA is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, PA?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, PA?
Bristol, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.