Sterling, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season155 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Sterling compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sterling falls between April 21 and May 23, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 155-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 7 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 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Scranton, PA, 24 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 25 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 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 Sterling, PA
Sterling, PA frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 8, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sterling, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Mt Pocono Mountains Ap, PA weather station, 22 km away (elevation 1,916 ft (584 m)).
Frost dates near Sterling
- Newfoundland May 6 · Oct 8
- Hamlin May 10 · Oct 4
- Greentown May 10 · Oct 4
- South Sterling May 6 · Oct 8
- Lake Ariel May 10 · Oct 4
- Moscow Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Elmhurst Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Lakeville May 10 · Oct 4
- Gouldsboro May 6 · Oct 8
- Canadensis May 6 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sterling, PA?
The median last spring frost in Sterling, PA is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sterling, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Sterling, PA?
About 155 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sterling, PA?
Sterling, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.