Frost dates for 17870Selinsgrove, PA
The average last spring frost in Selinsgrove is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 23 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Selinsgrove
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17870 is matched to the NOAA station Selinsgrove Penn Vly Ap, PA, 0.4 km away, at 444 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selinsgrove Penn Vly Ap, PA (used) | 444 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 16 |
| Selinsgrove 2 S, PA | 420 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 22 |
| Sunbury, PA | 575 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
| Lewisburg, PA | 500 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Selinsgrove
- Hummels Wharf, PA 17831 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Shamokin Dam, PA 17876 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Winfield, PA 17889 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Kreamer, PA 17833 · last Apr 27, first Oct 16
- Sunbury, PA 17801 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Freeburg, PA 17827 · last Apr 25, first Oct 22
- Northumberland, PA 17857 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Dornsife, PA 17823 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Selinsgrove, PA?
- For ZIP code 17870, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Selinsgrove Penn Vly Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Selinsgrove, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17870?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.