Frost dates for 17506Blue Ball, PA
The average last spring frost in Blue Ball is April 14 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 12 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 31 · Nov 11 · Nov 28 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Blue Ball
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17506 is matched to the NOAA station New Holland 2 Se, PA, 4.9 km away, at 605 ft elevation (119 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Holland 2 Se, PA (used) | 605 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 1 |
| Hopewell Morgantown, PA | 550 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA | 270 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Lancaster Ap, PA | 403 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Blue Ball
- New Holland, PA 17557 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- East Earl, PA 17519 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Goodville, PA 17528 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Terre Hill, PA 17581 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Martindale, PA 17549 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Narvon, PA 17555 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Bowmansville, PA 17507 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Intercourse, PA 17534 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Blue Ball, PA?
- For ZIP code 17506, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Holland 2 Se, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Blue Ball, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17506?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.