Frost dates for 19604Reading, PA
The average last spring frost in Reading is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Reading
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 19604 is matched to the NOAA station Reading Spaatz Fld, PA, 4.8 km away, at 341 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Spaatz Fld, PA (used) | 341 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Reading 4 Nnw, PA | 360 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Blue Marsh Lake, PA | 350 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Hopewell Morgantown, PA | 550 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Reading
- Reading, PA 19601 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Temple, PA 19560 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Limekiln, PA 19535 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Leesport, PA 19533 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Blandon, PA 19510 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Mohnton, PA 19540 · last Apr 14, first Nov 1
- Birdsboro, PA 19508 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Oley, PA 19547 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reading, PA?
- For ZIP code 19604, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reading Spaatz Fld, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Reading, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 19604?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.