Frost dates for 17268Waynesboro, PA
The average last spring frost in Waynesboro is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 6 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 28 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waynesboro
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17268 is matched to the NOAA station Hagerstown Washington Co Ap, MD, 15.2 km away, at 698 ft elevation (56 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown Washington Co Ap, MD (used) | 698 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| S Mtn, PA | 1,520 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Smithsburg 2Nw, MD | 670 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Catoctin Mtn Park, MD | 1,610 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Waynesboro
- Quincy, PA 17247 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Rouzerville, PA 17250 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Zullinger, PA 17272 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Mont Alto, PA 17237 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Shady Grove, PA 17256 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Cascade, MD 21719 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- South Mountain, PA 17261 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waynesboro, PA?
- For ZIP code 17268, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hagerstown Washington Co Ap, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Waynesboro, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17268?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.