Starlight, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season150 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Starlight compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Starlight falls between April 26 and May 27, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 150-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Scranton, PA, 63 km away, the last frost here is 19 days later than there and the growing season is 30 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 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 Starlight, PA
Starlight, PA frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 9, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Starlight, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Deposit, NY weather station, 18 km away (elevation 1,001 ft (305 m)).
Frost dates near Starlight
- Preston Park May 14 · Oct 1
- Lake Como May 14 · Oct 1
- Starrucca May 14 · Oct 1
- Lakewood May 14 · Oct 1
- Poyntelle May 14 · Oct 1
- Orson May 14 · Oct 1
- Equinunk May 3 · Oct 9
- Thompson May 14 · Oct 1
- Susquehanna May 12 · Oct 9
- Lanesboro May 12 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Starlight, PA?
The median last spring frost in Starlight, PA is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Starlight, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Starlight, PA?
About 150 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Starlight, PA?
Starlight, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.