Frost dates for 15068New Kensington, PA
The average last spring frost in New Kensington is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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) | Apr 24 · May 10 · May 28 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 4 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Kensington
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 | Mar 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15068 is matched to the NOAA station Salina 3 W, PA, 15.2 km away, at 1,109 ft elevation (115 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salina 3 W, PA (used) | 1,109 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Natrona Lock 4, PA | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
| Acmetonia Lock 3, PA | 748 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
| Schenley Lock 5, PA | 783 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near New Kensington
- New Kensington, PA 15069 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Brackenridge, PA 15014 · last Apr 16, first Nov 2
- Creighton, PA 15030 · last Apr 16, first Nov 2
- Springdale, PA 15144 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Harwick, PA 15049 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Tarentum, PA 15084 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Pittsburgh, PA 15239 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Natrona Heights, PA 15065 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Kensington, PA?
- For ZIP code 15068, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salina 3 W, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in New Kensington, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15068?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.