FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 17210Amberson, PA

The average last spring frost in Amberson is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
Apr 19

Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Oct 24

Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
188 days

Last frost typically in 167 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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 18Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 26163 days100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 6Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6188 days100%
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 17Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 19212 days100%

Planting calendar for Amberson

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.

CropTaskWindow
TomatoesStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – May 25
TomatoesTransplant outdoorsMay 5 – Jul 4
PeppersStart seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 19
PeppersTransplant outdoorsMay 19 – Jun 19
EggplantStart seeds indoorsApr 5 – May 4
EggplantTransplant outdoorsMay 19 – Jun 19
CucumbersSow outdoorsMay 19 – Jul 14
Summer squashSow outdoorsMay 5 – Jun 19
Winter squash & pumpkinsSow outdoorsMay 19 – Jun 19
Snap beansSow outdoorsMay 5 – Aug 6
Sweet cornSow outdoorsMay 5 – Jul 4
Watermelon & cantaloupeSow outdoorsMay 19 – Jun 19
OkraSow outdoorsMay 12 – Jun 4
PeasSow outdoors (spring)Mar 19 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors (spring)Mar 19 – May 19
OnionsStart seeds indoors (spring)Feb 5 – Mar 4
OnionsTransplant outdoors (spring)Apr 5 – May 4
BroccoliStart seeds indoors (spring)Mar 1 – Apr 4
BroccoliTransplant outdoors (spring)Apr 5 – May 4
BroccoliStart seeds indoors (fall)Jun 24 – Jul 4
BroccoliTransplant outdoors (fall)Jul 24 – Aug 4
CabbageStart seeds indoors (spring)Feb 19 – Mar 19
CabbageTransplant outdoors (spring)Mar 19 – Apr 19
CabbageStart seeds indoors (fall)Jun 14 – Jul 14
CabbageTransplant outdoors (fall)Jul 14 – Aug 14
Leaf lettuceSow outdoors (spring)Mar 19 – Jun 4
Leaf lettuceSow outdoors (fall)Jul 14 – Aug 30
SpinachSow outdoors (spring)Mar 12 – Apr 25
SpinachSow outdoors (fall)Jul 31 – Sep 4
RadishesSow outdoors (spring)Mar 19 – May 9
RadishesSow outdoors (fall)Jul 14 – Sep 14
KaleSow outdoors (spring)Apr 5 – Apr 25
KaleSow outdoors (fall)Jul 7 – Aug 14
CarrotsSow outdoors (spring)Apr 19 – Jun 4
CarrotsSow outdoors (fall)Jun 14 – Jul 30
GarlicPlant outdoors (fall)Oct 14 – Nov 14

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 17210 is matched to the NOAA station Shippensburg, PA, 18.1 km away, at 680 ft elevation (281 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
Shippensburg, PA (used)680 ftApr 19Oct 24
Chambersburg 1 Ese, PA640 ftApr 18Oct 25
Bloserville 1 N, PA700 ftApr 18Oct 26
S Mtn, PA1,520 ftApr 27Oct 20

Frost dates near Amberson

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Amberson, PA?
For ZIP code 17210, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shippensburg, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
When is the first frost in Amberson, PA?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 17210?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.