Frost dates for 18705 — Wilkes Barre, PA
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Wilkes Barre compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wilkes Barre falls between April 9 and May 10, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 60% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Wilkes Barre shares its weather station with Scranton, PA, 22 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Wilkes Barre, PA
Frost dates for 18705 — Wilkes Barre, PA — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wilkes Barre, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap, PA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 932 ft (284 m)).
ZIP codes in Wilkes Barre: 18701 18702 18703 18705 18706 18710 18711 18762 18764 18765 18766 18767 18769 18773
Frost dates near Wilkes Barre
- Kingston Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Luzerne Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Wyoming Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Plymouth Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Pittston Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Shavertown Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Duryea Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Dallas Apr 23 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilkes Barre, PA?
The median last spring frost in Wilkes Barre, PA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wilkes Barre, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Wilkes Barre, PA?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wilkes Barre, PA?
Wilkes Barre, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.