Frost dates for 18421Forest City, PA
The average last spring frost in Forest City is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 27 · Jun 8 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 3 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 29 | Sep 21 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 31 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Forest City
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 18421 is matched to the NOAA station Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA, 9.9 km away, at 1,800 ft elevation (219 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA (used) | 1,800 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
| Hawley 1 E, PA | 890 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Milanville, PA | 760 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Montrose, PA | 1,420 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Forest City
- Carbondale, PA 18407 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Union Dale, PA 18470 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Herrick Center, PA 18430 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Waymart, PA 18472 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Pleasant Mount, PA 18453 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Clifford, PA 18413 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Jermyn, PA 18433 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Lenoxville, PA 18441 · last May 14, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Forest City, PA?
- For ZIP code 18421, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Forest City, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 18421?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.