Frost dates for 17024Elliottsburg, PA
The average last spring frost in Elliottsburg is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 17 · May 1 · May 20 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 31 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 8 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 11 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elliottsburg
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17024 is matched to the NOAA station Bloserville 1 N, PA, 16.8 km away, at 700 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloserville 1 N, PA (used) | 700 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Carlisle Wtp, PA | 430 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
| Lewistown, PA | 460 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 24 |
| Harrisburg 1 Ne, PA | 420 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Elliottsburg
- Ickesburg, PA 17037 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Landisburg, PA 17040 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Loysville, PA 17047 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- New Bloomfield, PA 17068 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Shermans Dale, PA 17090 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Mexico, PA 17056 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Newport, PA 17074 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Port Royal, PA 17082 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elliottsburg, PA?
- For ZIP code 17024, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bloserville 1 N, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Elliottsburg, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17024?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.