Frost dates for 43926Empire, OH
The average last spring frost in Empire is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 20 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 10 · Apr 21 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Empire
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 43926 is matched to the NOAA station New Cumberland L/D, WV, 1.9 km away, at 675 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Cumberland L/D, WV (used) | 675 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 28 |
| Steubenville, OH | 992 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Montgomery L&D, PA | 690 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 26 |
| Moon Twp, PA | 1,172 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Empire
- Stratton, OH 43961 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- New Cumberland, WV 26047 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Toronto, OH 43964 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- New Manchester, WV 26056 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Chester, WV 26034 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- Weirton, WV 26062 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Newell, WV 26050 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- Wellsville, OH 43968 · last May 2, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Empire, OH?
- For ZIP code 43926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Cumberland L/D, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Empire, OH?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. 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 43926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.