Frost dates for 16826Blanchard, PA
The average last spring frost in Blanchard is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 25 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Blanchard
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16826 is matched to the NOAA station Lock Haven Sewage Plt, PA, 15.6 km away, at 566 ft elevation (84 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Haven Sewage Plt, PA (used) | 566 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
| Millheim, PA | 1,120 ft | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Clarence, PA | 1,390 ft | May 21 | Sep 27 |
| Renovo, PA | 660 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Blanchard
- Beech Creek, PA 16822 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Lamar, PA 16848 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Howard, PA 16841 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Mill Hall, PA 17751 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Mackeyville, PA 17750 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Mingoville, PA 16856 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Castanea, PA 17726 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Lock Haven, PA 17745 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Blanchard, PA?
- For ZIP code 16826, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lock Haven Sewage Plt, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Blanchard, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 16826?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.