Frost dates for 17602Lancaster, PA
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 19 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 2 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 24 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lancaster
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17602 is matched to the NOAA station Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA, 2 km away, at 270 ft elevation (19 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA (used) | 270 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Lancaster Ap, PA | 403 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Safe Harbor Dam, PA | 195 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
| Landisville 2 Nw, PA | 360 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Lancaster, PA 17622 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Bart, PA 17503 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Penryn, PA 17564 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Bausman, PA 17504 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Lampeter, PA 17537 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Witmer, PA 17585 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- West Willow, PA 17583 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Millersville, PA 17551 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, PA?
- For ZIP code 17602, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lancaster 2Ne Fltr Plt, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17602?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.