Frost dates for 15656Leechburg, PA
The average last spring frost in Leechburg is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 20 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Leechburg
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15656 is matched to the NOAA station Ford City 4 S Dam, PA, 12.7 km away, at 930 ft elevation (41 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford City 4 S Dam, PA (used) | 930 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Schenley Lock 5, PA | 783 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 30 |
| Natrona Lock 4, PA | 760 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
| Salina 3 W, PA | 1,109 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Leechburg
- Hyde Park, PA 15641 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- East Vandergrift, PA 15629 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Schenley, PA 15682 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Vandergrift, PA 15690 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- North Apollo, PA 15673 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Freeport, PA 16229 · last May 4, first Oct 16
- Natrona Heights, PA 15065 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Apollo, PA 15613 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leechburg, PA?
- For ZIP code 15656, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ford City 4 S Dam, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Leechburg, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15656?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.