Frost dates for 15044Gibsonia, PA
The average last spring frost in Gibsonia is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 1 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 23 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 30 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 26 · May 14 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gibsonia
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15044 is matched to the NOAA station Butler 2 Sw, PA, 24.2 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (211 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler 2 Sw, PA (used) | 1,000 ft | May 7 | Oct 14 |
| Acmetonia Lock 3, PA | 748 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
| Emsworth L/D Ohio Rvr, PA | 717 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 27 |
| Natrona Lock 4, PA | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Gibsonia
- Bakerstown, PA 15007 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Wildwood, PA 15091 · last Apr 24, first Oct 27
- Bairdford, PA 15006 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Allison Park, PA 15101 · last Apr 24, first Oct 27
- Curtisville, PA 15032 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Valencia, PA 16059 · last May 7, first Oct 14
- Indianola, PA 15051 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Russellton, PA 15076 · last May 7, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gibsonia, PA?
- For ZIP code 15044, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Butler 2 Sw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Gibsonia, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15044?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.