Frost dates for 19027Elkins Park, PA
The average last spring frost in Elkins Park is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 3 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 22 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 23 · Apr 5 | Nov 4 · Nov 19 · Dec 5 | 241 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkins Park
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 19027 is matched to the NOAA station Philadelphia Ne Ap, PA, 10.3 km away, at 100 ft elevation (103 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Ne Ap, PA (used) | 100 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 7 |
| Phila Franklin Inst, PA | 60 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 17 |
| Willow Grove Nas, PA | 361 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 1 |
| Pennsauken 1N, NJ | 46 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Elkins Park
- Philadelphia, PA 19126 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Wyncote, PA 19095 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Cheltenham, PA 19012 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Jenkintown, PA 19046 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Glenside, PA 19038 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Abington, PA 19001 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Oreland, PA 19075 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Flourtown, PA 19031 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkins Park, PA?
- For ZIP code 19027, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Philadelphia Ne Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Elkins Park, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 19027?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.