Frost dates for 17724Canton, PA
The average last spring frost in Canton is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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) | May 12 · May 29 · Jun 11 | Sep 7 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 31 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Canton
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 | Apr 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17724 is matched to the NOAA station Canton, PA, 1 km away, at 1,140 ft elevation (146 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton, PA (used) | 1,140 ft | May 16 | Oct 2 |
| Tioga Hammond Dam, PA | 1,230 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
| Towanda 1 S, PA | 760 ft | May 2 | Oct 15 |
| Laporte, PA | 1,966 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Canton
- Grover, PA 17735 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Alba, PA 16910 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Roaring Branch, PA 17765 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Granville Summit, PA 16926 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Morris Run, PA 16939 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Shunk, PA 17768 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Troy, PA 16947 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Sylvania, PA 16945 · last May 16, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Canton, PA?
- For ZIP code 17724, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Canton, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Canton, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17724?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.