Gardners, PA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season195 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Gardners compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gardners falls between April 1 and May 4, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 195-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 115 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Harrisburg, PA, 38 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Gardners, PA
Gardners, PA frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 27, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gardners, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Biglerville, PA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 m)).
Frost dates near Gardners
- Idaville Apr 15 · Oct 27
- Mount Holly Springs Apr 23 · Oct 18
- York Springs Apr 15 · Oct 27
- Aspers Apr 15 · Oct 27
- Bendersville Apr 15 · Oct 27
- Boiling Springs Apr 23 · Oct 18
- Franklintown Apr 23 · Oct 18
- Dillsburg Apr 23 · Oct 18
- Biglerville Apr 15 · Oct 27
- Arendtsville Apr 15 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gardners, PA?
The median last spring frost in Gardners, PA is April 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gardners, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Gardners, PA?
About 195 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gardners, PA?
Gardners, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.