Frost dates for 19612Reading, PA
The average last spring frost in Reading is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 9 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 30 · Apr 12 | Oct 27 · Nov 11 · Nov 28 | 227 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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 19612 is matched to the NOAA station Reading 4 Nnw, PA, 4.2 km away, at 360 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading 4 Nnw, PA (used) | 360 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Reading Spaatz Fld, PA | 341 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Blue Marsh Lake, PA | 350 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Hamburg, PA | 369 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Reading
- Blandon, PA 19510 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Temple, PA 19560 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Fleetwood, PA 19522 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Reading, PA 19605 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Shoemakersville, PA 19555 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Virginville, PA 19564 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Leesport, PA 19533 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Centerport, PA 19516 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reading, PA?
- For ZIP code 19612, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reading 4 Nnw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Reading, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 19612?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.