Frost dates for 16321East Hickory, PA
The average last spring frost in East Hickory is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 12 · May 27 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 8 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 18 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Hickory
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16321 is matched to the NOAA station Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA, 12.2 km away, at 1,200 ft elevation (121 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA (used) | 1,200 ft | May 1 | Oct 25 |
| Titusville Wtr Wks, PA | 1,220 ft | May 12 | Oct 10 |
| Cooksburg 2 Nw, PA | 1,450 ft | May 13 | Oct 7 |
| Warren, PA | 1,210 ft | May 4 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near East Hickory
- Endeavor, PA 16322 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- West Hickory, PA 16370 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- Tionesta, PA 16353 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- Tidioute, PA 16351 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Pleasantville, PA 16341 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Grand Valley, PA 16420 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Lickingville, PA 16332 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- Tylersburg, PA 16361 · last May 13, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Hickory, PA?
- For ZIP code 16321, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in East Hickory, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16321?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.