Frost dates for 19013 — Chester, PA
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Chester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chester falls between March 16 and April 9, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 231-day growing season is among the longest of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 65 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Havertown, PA, 15 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Chester, PA
Frost dates for 19013 — Chester, PA — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 16, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chester, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
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 Marcus Hook, PA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
ZIP codes in Chester: 19013 19016
Frost dates near Chester
- Brookhaven Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Woodlyn Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Crum Lynne Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Wallingford Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Aston Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Ridley Park Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Marcus Hook Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Swarthmore Apr 2 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chester, PA?
The median last spring frost in Chester, PA is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chester, PA?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Chester, PA?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chester, PA?
Chester, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.