Frost dates for 15502Hidden Valley, PA
The average last spring frost in Hidden Valley is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 28 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 5 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hidden Valley
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15502 is matched to the NOAA station Hidden Valley, PA, 0.5 km away, at 2,876 ft elevation (21 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Valley, PA (used) | 2,876 ft | May 2 | Oct 17 |
| Rector 3 Ssw, PA | 1,330 ft | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Donegal 2 Nw, PA | 1,800 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
| Laurel Summit, PA | 2,730 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Hidden Valley
- Champion, PA 15622 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Jones Mills, PA 15646 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Melcroft, PA 15462 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Indian Head, PA 15446 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Donegal, PA 15628 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Stahlstown, PA 15687 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Normalville, PA 15469 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Rockwood, PA 15557 · last May 12, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hidden Valley, PA?
- For ZIP code 15502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hidden Valley, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Hidden Valley, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. 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 15502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.