Frost dates for 17527Gap, PA
The average last spring frost in Gap 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 Gap
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 17527 is matched to the NOAA station New Holland 2 Se, PA, 10.3 km away, at 605 ft elevation (80 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 |
| Coatesville 2 W, PA | 640 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Hopewell Morgantown, PA | 550 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Octoraro Lake, PA | 260 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Gap
- Kinzers, PA 17535 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Atglen, PA 19310 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Parkesburg, PA 19365 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Sadsburyville, PA 19369 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Paradise, PA 17562 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Intercourse, PA 17534 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Gordonville, PA 17529 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Pomeroy, PA 19367 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gap, PA?
- For ZIP code 17527, 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 Gap, 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 17527?
- 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.