Frost dates for 17978Spring Glen, PA
The average last spring frost in Spring Glen is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 26 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · May 1 · May 20 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spring Glen
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17978 is matched to the NOAA station Dehart Dam, PA, 21.2 km away, at 537 ft elevation (99 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehart Dam, PA (used) | 537 ft | May 1 | Oct 16 |
| Bear Gap, PA | 1,015 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Selinsgrove 2 S, PA | 420 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 22 |
| Sunbury, PA | 575 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Spring Glen
- Sacramento, PA 17968 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Williamstown, PA 17098 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Klingerstown, PA 17941 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Valley View, PA 17983 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Tower City, PA 17980 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Lykens, PA 17048 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Wiconisco, PA 17097 · last May 1, first Oct 16
- Leck Kill, PA 17836 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spring Glen, PA?
- For ZIP code 17978, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dehart Dam, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Spring Glen, 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 17978?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.