Frost dates for 17319Etters, PA
The average last spring frost in Etters is April 9 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 9 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Nov 29 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Etters
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17319 is matched to the NOAA station Middletown Harrisburg Intl Ap, PA, 5.4 km away, at 312 ft elevation (141 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown Harrisburg Intl Ap, PA (used) | 312 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| Harrisburg Cptl Cy Ap, PA | 340 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| Harrisburg 1 Ne, PA | 420 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| York 3 Ssw Pump Stn, PA | 390 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Etters
- York Haven, PA 17370 · last Apr 9, first Nov 2
- Lewisberry, PA 17339 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Highspire, PA 17034 · last Apr 9, first Nov 2
- Middletown, PA 17057 · last Apr 9, first Nov 2
- New Cumberland, PA 17070 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Harrisburg, PA 17113 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Manchester, PA 17345 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Bainbridge, PA 17502 · last Apr 9, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Etters, PA?
- For ZIP code 17319, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Middletown Harrisburg Intl Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Etters, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17319?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.