Frost dates for 18224Freeland, PA
The average last spring frost in Freeland is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 2 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Nov 4 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Freeland
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 18224 is matched to the NOAA station Francis E Walter Dam, PA, 17.3 km away, at 1,509 ft elevation (365 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francis E Walter Dam, PA (used) | 1,509 ft | May 7 | Oct 6 |
| Lehighton 1Ssw, PA | 455 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Mahanoy City 2 N, PA | 1,710 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
| Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap, PA | 930 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Freeland
- Drifton, PA 18221 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Ebervale, PA 18223 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Lattimer Mines, PA 18234 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Drums, PA 18222 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Harleigh, PA 18225 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Milnesville, PA 18239 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Hazleton, PA 18201 · last Apr 30, first Oct 22
- Saint Johns, PA 18247 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Freeland, PA?
- For ZIP code 18224, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Francis E Walter Dam, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Freeland, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 18224?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.