Frost dates for 19612 — Reading, PA
Last spring frostApr 10median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season204 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Reading compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Reading falls between March 29 and April 26, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 17 days earlier than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 204-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season (state median 175 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Allentown, PA, 37 km away, the last frost here is 10 days earlier than there and the growing season is 17 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Reading, PA
Frost dates for 19612 — Reading, PA — last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 31, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 15
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Reading, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 13 – Apr 17 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Basil | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 17 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Reading 4 Nnw, PA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 361 ft (110 m)).
ZIP codes in Reading: 19601 19602 19603 19604 19605 19606 19607 19608 19609 19610 19611 19612
Frost dates near Reading
- Blandon Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Temple Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Fleetwood Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Shoemakersville Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Virginville Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Leesport Apr 26 · Oct 19
- Oley Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Centerport Apr 16 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Reading, PA?
The median last spring frost in Reading, PA is April 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Reading, PA?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Reading, PA?
About 204 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Reading, PA?
Reading, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.