Frost dates for 17604 — Lancaster, PA
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season188 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Lancaster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lancaster falls between April 5 and May 7, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 188-day growing season is longer than 75% 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 111 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Reading, PA, 46 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Lancaster, PA
Frost dates for 17604 — Lancaster, PA — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 24, 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 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
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 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
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 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lancaster, 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 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| 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 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| 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 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Lancaster 2ne Fltr Plt, PA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 269 ft (82 m)).
ZIP codes in Lancaster: 17601 17602 17603 17604 17605 17606 17607 17608 17611 17622 17699
Frost dates near Lancaster
- East Petersburg Apr 18 · Oct 25
- Bausman Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Bart Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Penryn Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Landisville Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Millersville Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Mountville Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Silver Spring Apr 30 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, PA?
The median last spring frost in Lancaster, PA is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lancaster, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, PA?
About 188 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lancaster, PA?
Lancaster, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.