Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Lancaster, PA
Plan your garden around Lancaster, PA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 19
Safe May 7
Typical Apr 19
Risky Apr 5
First Fall Frost
October 24
Safe Oct 9
Typical Oct 24
Risky Nov 6
Growing Season
186 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station LANCASTER 2NE FLTR PLT, PA US, 3 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | May 3 – May 10 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | May 3 – May 10 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | May 3 – May 10 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 19 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Aug 29 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Aug 15 – Aug 22 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, PA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the LANCASTER 2NE FLTR PLT, PA US station, the last spring frost in Lancaster typically falls around April 19. A cautious gardener might wait until May 7 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 5 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Lancaster, PA in fall?
The first fall frost in Lancaster typically arrives around October 24. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 9; in milder years it can hold off until November 6.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, PA?
Lancaster's average frost-free growing season is about 186 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 19) to the typical first fall frost (October 24).
What USDA hardiness zone is Lancaster, PA in?
Lancaster, PA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.