Frost dates for 17086Richfield, PA
The average last spring frost in Richfield is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 22 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richfield
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17086 is matched to the NOAA station Selinsgrove 2 S, PA, 24.4 km away, at 420 ft elevation (230 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selinsgrove 2 S, PA (used) | 420 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 22 |
| Laurelton Ctr, PA | 800 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Selinsgrove Penn Vly Ap, PA | 444 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 16 |
| Sunbury, PA | 575 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Richfield
- Cocolamus, PA 17014 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Beaver Springs, PA 17843 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Paxtonville, PA 17861 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Mount Pleasant Mills, PA 17853 · last Apr 25, first Oct 22
- Beavertown, PA 17813 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Mc Alisterville, PA 17049 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Thompsontown, PA 17094 · last Apr 21, first Oct 24
- Middleburg, PA 17842 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richfield, PA?
- For ZIP code 17086, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Selinsgrove 2 S, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Richfield, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17086?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.