Frost dates for 16508 — Erie, PA
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season192 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Erie compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Erie falls between April 10 and May 13, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 192-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 111 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Erie, PA
Frost dates for 16508 — Erie, PA — last frost Apr 26, first frost Nov 4, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Erie, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Erie Intl Ap, PA weather station, 8 km away (elevation 732 ft (223 m)).
ZIP codes in Erie: 16501 16502 16503 16504 16505 16506 16507 16508 16509 16510 16511 16512 16514 16515 16522 16530 16531 16534 16538 16541 16544 16546 16550 16553 16563 16565
Frost dates near Erie
- Mc Kean Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Fairview Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Harborcreek Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Waterford May 7 · Oct 10
- Lake City Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Girard Apr 26 · Nov 4
- Wattsburg May 7 · Oct 10
- North East Apr 21 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Erie, PA?
The median last spring frost in Erie, PA is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Erie, PA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Erie, PA?
About 192 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Erie, PA?
Erie, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.