Southeastern, PA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Southeastern compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Southeastern falls between April 3 and May 4, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 78% 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 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wilmington, DE, 35 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Southeastern, PA
Southeastern, PA frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 25, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Southeastern, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Coatesville 2 W, PA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 640 ft (195 m)).
ZIP codes in Southeastern: 19397 19398 19399
Frost dates near Southeastern
- Birchrunville Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Wagontown Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Thorndale Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Downingtown Apr 26 · Oct 18
- Modena Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Coatesville Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Lyndell Apr 11 · Nov 1
- Unionville Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Brandamore Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Exton Apr 26 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Southeastern, PA?
The median last spring frost in Southeastern, PA is April 19. 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 Southeastern, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Southeastern, PA?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Southeastern, PA?
Southeastern, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.