Frost Dates for Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 17 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b

ZIP 16066 has about 33,900 people.

Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–May 14 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–October 31 (28 days).

Frost probability for 16066

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 14May 2April 19
Fall (first frost)October 3October 17October 31

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MONTGOMERY L&D (24.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 168-day season in Cranberry Township

In Cranberry Township (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 28May 16–May 23126fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16.Jun 17
PepperMar 21May 16–May 23126fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16.Jun 22
LettuceMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11203two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 26
Carrots—Apr 11–Apr 18210fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 11.Aug 15
CucumberApr 11May 16–May 23140two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
Beans—May 9–May 23154two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10.Jul 28
Peas—Mar 7–May 16231fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 7.Aug 6
ZucchiniApr 18May 16–May 23140two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
OnionFeb 7Apr 4–Apr 18203fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 4.—
Spinach—Mar 7–Apr 25245two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 14
KaleFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18217two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 30
BroccoliMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18203fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 4.Jul 22
CabbageMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18217fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 4.Aug 15
Radish—Mar 7–May 30231two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24.Sep 15
Beets—Mar 7–May 30231two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
Potatoes—Apr 18–Apr 25189fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 18.—
Garlic—Oct 17273overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer.Nov 7
Strawberry—Mar 28–May 23224perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 4May 9–May 16140fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 9.Jun 29
PumpkinApr 18May 16–May 16133fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16.Jun 4
CauliflowerMar 21Apr 25–May 9182fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 25.Jul 27
Swiss ChardMar 7Apr 18–Apr 18189two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
Arugula—Mar 7–May 30245two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 14
Brussel SproutsMar 7Apr 4–Apr 18217fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 4.Jul 16
Butternut SquashApr 18May 16–May 23133fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16.Jun 4
EggplantMar 14May 16–May 23126fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16.Jun 27
OkraApr 4May 9–May 16147two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
BasilMar 28May 23–May 23133fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 23.Jul 21
Cilantro—Apr 4–Apr 25203two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 21
ParsleyFeb 21May 9–May 16168fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9.Aug 1
CeleryFeb 21May 9–May 23168fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9.Jun 12
ScallionsFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18217two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 25
Turnip—Apr 4–Apr 18217two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7.Sep 4
Kohlrabi—Mar 21–Apr 4231two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 30
Bok ChoyApr 4Apr 25–May 2182two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 26
CollardsFeb 21Apr 4–Apr 18217two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7.Aug 25
CantaloupeApr 18May 16–May 23126fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16.Jun 12
ChivesFeb 7May 9–May 16182fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9.—
Dill—Mar 7–May 30231two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 16
OreganoFeb 21May 9–May 16182fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9.—
RosemaryFeb 7May 9–May 16168fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9.—
SageMar 7May 9–May 16182fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9.—
ThymeFeb 21May 9–May 16182fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9.—
CalendulaMar 21Apr 18–May 2189two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24.Aug 21
CosmosApr 4May 2–May 16154two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21
LavenderFeb 7May 2–May 16189fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 2.—
MarigoldsMar 21May 2–May 9154two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 31
MelonsApr 18May 16–May 23126fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16.Jun 12
Mint—May 2–May 16189fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 2.—
NasturtiumsApr 4May 2–May 9154two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
Pole Beans—May 9–May 23147fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after May 9.Jul 16
Spaghetti SquashApr 18May 16–May 23133fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16.Jun 14
Sunflowers—May 2–May 16154fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2.Jul 11
TomatillosMar 7May 9–May 16133fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9.Jun 22
WatermelonApr 18May 9–May 16133fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9.Jun 17
Yellow SquashApr 18May 16–May 23140two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 26
ZinniasApr 4May 2–May 16154two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3.Jul 21

Month by month in Cranberry Township

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more.
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7).
DecemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Cranberry Township, PA (ZIP 16066)?

The median last spring frost date for Cranberry Township, PA (ZIP code 16066) is around May 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 19; one in ten it runs past May 14.

What is the first fall frost date in Cranberry Township, PA?

The median first fall frost date for Cranberry Township, PA is around October 17. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Cranberry Township, PA?

The frost-free growing season in Cranberry Township is about 168 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Cranberry Township (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Cranberry Township, PA?

Cranberry Township, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Cranberry Township, PA?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Cranberry Township. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cranberry Township?

Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.

When do I plant garlic in Cranberry Township?

Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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