Frost Dates for Lancaster, PA 17603
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 15 · 171 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 17603 has about 67,600 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Lancaster.
Moderate season: 171 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 10 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 28 (27 days).
Frost probability for 17603
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 27 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 15 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LEBANON 2 W (36.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Lancaster, PA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17603 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
| 17601 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
| 17602 | April 18 | October 21 | 7a |
| 17606 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 171-day season in Lancaster
In Lancaster (171 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 6. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 234 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 2. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 30. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 30. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 276 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 227 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 136 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 136 available after May 11. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 20. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 30. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 136 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 136 available after May 11. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after May 4. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 171 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 171 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 150 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 150 available after May 4. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 11. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Lancaster
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| December | Clean 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 Lancaster, PA (ZIP 17603)?
The median last spring frost date for Lancaster, PA (ZIP code 17603) is around April 27. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Lancaster, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Lancaster, PA is around October 15. 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Lancaster is about 171 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 Lancaster (171 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Lancaster, PA?
Lancaster, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Lancaster, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Lancaster. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lancaster?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Lancaster?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lancaster (ZIP 17602) has 186 frost-free days, 15 more than Lancaster (ZIP 17603). See Lancaster ZIP 17602 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Millersville, PA 17551 (2.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Lancaster, PA 17601 (4.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Lancaster, PA 17602 (5.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Willow Street, PA 17584 (5.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbia, PA 17512 (7.3 mi)
- When to plant in Lancaster, PA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in PA
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- When to plant Cucumbers in PA
- When to plant Zucchini in PA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in PA
- When to plant Basil in PA
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- Look up another ZIP