Frost dates for 16249Rural Valley, PA
The average last spring frost in Rural Valley is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 2 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 10 · May 28 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 28 · May 19 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rural 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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16249 is matched to the NOAA station Putneyville 2 Se Dam, PA, 15.2 km away, at 1,280 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Putneyville 2 Se Dam, PA (used) | 1,280 ft | May 10 | Oct 12 |
| Ford City 4 S Dam, PA | 930 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Indiana 3 Se, PA | 1,102 ft | May 8 | Oct 13 |
| Schenley Lock 5, PA | 783 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Rural Valley
- Yatesboro, PA 16263 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Sagamore, PA 16250 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Beyer, PA 16211 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Dayton, PA 16222 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Plumville, PA 16246 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Creekside, PA 15732 · last May 8, first Oct 13
- Elderton, PA 15736 · last May 8, first Oct 13
- Home, PA 15747 · last May 10, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rural Valley, PA?
- For ZIP code 16249, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Putneyville 2 Se Dam, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Rural Valley, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16249?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.