Intercourse, PA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season201 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Intercourse compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Intercourse falls between April 1 and April 30, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 201-day growing season is longer than 89% 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 97 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lancaster, PA, 17 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 13 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Intercourse, PA
Intercourse, PA frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Nov 1, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Intercourse, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 New Holland 2 Se, PA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 604 ft (184 m)).
Frost dates near Intercourse
- Gordonville Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Ronks Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Paradise Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Kinzers Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Bird In Hand Apr 19 · Oct 24
- New Holland Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Smoketown Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Witmer Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Leola Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Strasburg Apr 19 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Intercourse, PA?
The median last spring frost in Intercourse, PA is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Intercourse, PA?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Intercourse, PA?
About 201 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Intercourse, PA?
Intercourse, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.