Frost dates for 17312Craley, PA
The average last spring frost in Craley is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 1 · Apr 13 · May 3 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 1 · Apr 13 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 25 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 22 · Apr 1 | Nov 7 · Nov 22 · Dec 7 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Craley
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17312 is matched to the NOAA station Safe Harbor Dam, PA, 10.3 km away, at 195 ft elevation (458 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Harbor Dam, PA (used) | 195 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
| Landisville 2 Nw, PA | 360 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| York 3 Ssw Pump Stn, PA | 390 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA | 270 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Craley
- East Prospect, PA 17317 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Windsor, PA 17366 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Wrightsville, PA 17368 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Washington Boro, PA 17582 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- York, PA 17406 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Red Lion, PA 17356 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Brogue, PA 17309 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Columbia, PA 17512 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Craley, PA?
- For ZIP code 17312, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Safe Harbor Dam, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Craley, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17312?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.