North East, PA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season198 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How North East compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in North East falls between April 8 and May 5, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 198-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 8 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 117 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Erie, PA, 21 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 North East, PA
North East, PA frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Nov 5, zone 6a. 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: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
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 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
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 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in North East, 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 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| 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 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| 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 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Westfield 2 Sse, NY weather station, 23 km away (elevation 709 ft (216 m)).
Frost dates near North East
- Harborcreek Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Wattsburg May 7 · Oct 10
- Erie Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Waterford May 7 · Oct 10
- Elgin May 7 · Oct 10
- Union City May 7 · Oct 10
- Corry May 7 · Oct 10
- Mc Kean Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Columbus May 22 · Sep 30
- Mill Village May 7 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in North East, PA?
The median last spring frost in North East, PA is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in North East, PA?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in North East, PA?
About 198 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is North East, PA?
North East, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.