Rector, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Rector compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rector falls between April 21 and May 22, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later 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 154 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pittsburgh, PA, 70 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 32 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Rector, PA
Rector, PA frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 6, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rector, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Rector 3 Ssw, PA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,329 ft (405 m)).
Frost dates near Rector
- Laughlintown Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Ligonier Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Stahlstown Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Jones Mills Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Gray May 6 · Oct 12
- Youngstown May 1 · Oct 13
- Donegal Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Acme Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Hidden Valley May 2 · Oct 17
- Hostetter May 1 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rector, PA?
The median last spring frost in Rector, PA is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rector, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Rector, PA?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rector, PA?
Rector, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.