Frost dates for 17538Landisville, PA
The average last spring frost in Landisville is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 19 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Landisville
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17538 is matched to the NOAA station Landisville 2 Nw, PA, 3.5 km away, at 360 ft elevation (40 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landisville 2 Nw, PA (used) | 360 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Lancaster Ap, PA | 403 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA | 270 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Safe Harbor Dam, PA | 195 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Landisville
- Silver Spring, PA 17575 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Mountville, PA 17554 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- East Petersburg, PA 17520 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Lancaster, PA 17604 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Columbia, PA 17512 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Mount Joy, PA 17552 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Manheim, PA 17545 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Bausman, PA 17504 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Landisville, PA?
- For ZIP code 17538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Landisville 2 Nw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Landisville, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17538?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.