Frost Dates for Jersey Shore, PA 17740

Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 8 · 154 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 17740 has about 12,000 people.

Moderate season: 154 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 22 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 21 (27 days).

Frost probability for 17740

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 22May 7April 21
Fall (first frost)September 24October 8October 21

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAURELTON CTR (37.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 154-day season in Jersey Shore

In Jersey Shore (154 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 2May 21–May 28112fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21.Jun 8
PepperMar 26May 21–May 28112fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21.Jun 13
LettuceMar 12Apr 9–Apr 16189two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 17
Carrots—Apr 16–Apr 23196fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 16.Aug 6
CucumberApr 16May 21–May 28126fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 21.Jul 12
Beans—May 14–May 28140two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1.Jul 19
Peas—Mar 12–May 21217fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 12.Jul 28
ZucchiniApr 23May 21–May 28126two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
OnionFeb 12Apr 9–Apr 23189fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9.—
Spinach—Mar 12–Apr 30231two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29.Sep 5
KaleFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23203two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 21
BroccoliMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23189fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9.Jul 13
CabbageMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23203fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9.Aug 6
Radish—Mar 12–Jun 4217two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15.Sep 6
Beets—Mar 12–Jun 4217two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
Potatoes—Apr 23–Apr 30175fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 23.—
Garlic—Oct 8259overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer.Oct 29
Strawberry—Apr 2–May 28210perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 9May 14–May 21126fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14.Jun 20
PumpkinApr 23May 21–May 21119fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21.May 26
CauliflowerMar 26Apr 30–May 14168fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30.Jul 18
Swiss ChardMar 12Apr 23–Apr 23175two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
Arugula—Mar 12–Jun 4231two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29.Sep 5
Brussel SproutsMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23203fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9.Jul 7
Butternut SquashApr 23May 21–May 28119fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21.May 26
EggplantMar 19May 21–May 28112fits: 70 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21.Jun 18
OkraApr 9May 14–May 21133two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
BasilApr 2May 28–May 28119fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 28.Jul 12
Cilantro—Apr 9–Apr 30189two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 12
ParsleyFeb 26May 14–May 21154fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14.Jul 23
CeleryFeb 26May 14–May 28154fits: 120 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14.Jun 3
ScallionsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23203two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 16
Turnip—Apr 9–Apr 23203two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 26
Kohlrabi—Mar 26–Apr 9217two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 21
Bok ChoyApr 9Apr 30–May 7168two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 17
CollardsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23203two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 16
CantaloupeApr 23May 21–May 28112fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21.Jun 3
ChivesFeb 12May 14–May 21168fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14.—
Dill—Mar 12–Jun 4217two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
OreganoFeb 26May 14–May 21168fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14.—
RosemaryFeb 12May 14–May 21154fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14.—
SageMar 12May 14–May 21168fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14.—
ThymeFeb 26May 14–May 21168fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14.—
CalendulaMar 26Apr 23–May 7175two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 12
CosmosApr 9May 7–May 21140two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 12
LavenderFeb 12May 7–May 21175fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7.—
MarigoldsMar 26May 7–May 14140two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 22
MelonsApr 23May 21–May 28112fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21.Jun 3
Mint—May 7–May 21175fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7.—
NasturtiumsApr 9May 7–May 14140two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
Pole Beans—May 14–May 28133fits: 65 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14.Jul 7
Spaghetti SquashApr 23May 21–May 28119fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21.Jun 5
Sunflowers—May 7–May 21140fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7.Jul 2
TomatillosMar 12May 14–May 21119fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14.Jun 13
WatermelonApr 23May 14–May 21119fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14.Jun 8
Yellow SquashApr 23May 21–May 28126two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
ZinniasApr 9May 7–May 21140two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 12

Month by month in Jersey Shore

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
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 Jersey Shore, PA (ZIP 17740)?

The median last spring frost date for Jersey Shore, PA (ZIP code 17740) is around May 7. 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 22.

What is the first fall frost date in Jersey Shore, PA?

The median first fall frost date for Jersey Shore, PA is around October 8. 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 September 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Jersey Shore, PA?

The frost-free growing season in Jersey Shore is about 154 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 Jersey Shore (154 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Jersey Shore, PA?

Jersey Shore, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Jersey Shore, PA?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Jersey Shore. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jersey Shore?

Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.

When do I plant garlic in Jersey Shore?

Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Montoursville (ZIP 17754) has 168 frost-free days, 14 more than Jersey Shore (ZIP 17740). See Montoursville ZIP 17754 frost dates

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