Frost dates for 15074Rochester, PA
The average last spring frost in Rochester is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 19 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rochester
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15074 is matched to the NOAA station Pittsburgh Intl Ap, PA, 26 km away, at 1,203 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Intl Ap, PA (used) | 1,203 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Beaver Falls 1 Ne, PA | 760 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| Montgomery L&D, PA | 690 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 26 |
| Glenwillard Dashields L&D, PA | 710 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Rochester
- New Brighton, PA 15066 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Freedom, PA 15042 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Monaca, PA 15061 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Conway, PA 15027 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Beaver, PA 15009 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Baden, PA 15005 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Beaver Falls, PA 15010 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Fombell, PA 16123 · last May 7, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rochester, PA?
- For ZIP code 15074, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pittsburgh Intl Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Rochester, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15074?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.