Frost dates for 18821Great Bend, PA
The average last spring frost in Great Bend is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 6 · May 23 · Jun 4 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 25 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 6 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Great Bend
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 18821 is matched to the NOAA station Deposit, NY, 28.1 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (108 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit, NY (used) | 1,000 ft | May 12 | Oct 9 |
| Montrose, PA | 1,420 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Endicott, NY | 827 ft | May 5 | Oct 12 |
| Binghamton, NY | 1,606 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Great Bend
- Hallstead, PA 18822 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Corbettsville, NY 13749 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Conklin, NY 13748 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Kirkwood, NY 13795 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- New Milford, PA 18834 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Lanesboro, PA 18827 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Susquehanna, PA 18847 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Windsor, NY 13865 · last May 12, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Great Bend, PA?
- For ZIP code 18821, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Deposit, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Great Bend, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 18821?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.