Franklin, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between April 20 and May 20, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 142 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Youngstown, OH, 80 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 17 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Franklin, PA
Franklin, PA frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 23, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Franklin, PA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,014 ft (309 m)).
Frost dates near Franklin
- Reno May 2 · Oct 23
- Polk May 2 · Oct 23
- Cooperstown May 2 · Oct 23
- Oil City May 2 · Oct 23
- Utica May 2 · Oct 23
- Seneca May 2 · Oct 23
- Rouseville May 2 · Oct 23
- Kennerdell May 2 · Oct 23
- Carlton May 2 · Oct 23
- Cranberry May 2 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, PA?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, PA is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Franklin, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, PA?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, PA?
Franklin, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.