Frost dates for 17976Shenandoah, PA
The average last spring frost in Shenandoah is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 24 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 18 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 6 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shenandoah
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 – Jul 2 |
| 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 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17976 is matched to the NOAA station Mahanoy City 2 N, PA, 5.4 km away, at 1,710 ft elevation (450 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahanoy City 2 N, PA (used) | 1,710 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
| Bear Gap, PA | 1,015 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Hamburg, PA | 369 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Lehighton 1Ssw, PA | 455 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Shenandoah
- Gilberton, PA 17934 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Lost Creek, PA 17946 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Mahanoy Plane, PA 17949 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Frackville, PA 17932 · last Apr 30, first Oct 22
- Ringtown, PA 17967 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Mahanoy City, PA 17948 · last Apr 30, first Oct 22
- Girardville, PA 17935 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Zion Grove, PA 17985 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shenandoah, PA?
- For ZIP code 17976, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mahanoy City 2 N, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Shenandoah, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17976?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.