Frost Dates for Lewistown, PA 17044
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 16 · 173 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 17044 has about 20,200 people.
Moderate season: 173 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 11 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–October 30 (28 days).
Frost probability for 17044
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 26 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 16 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LEWISTOWN (1.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 173-day season in Lewistown
In Lewistown (173 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 5. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 1. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 29. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 278 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 229 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 3. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 10. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 29. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 10. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 173 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 152 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 152 available after May 3. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 138 available after May 10. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 26. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 3. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 3. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
Month by month in Lewistown
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Pumpkin (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Celery (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 15), Pole Beans (Jul 15), Basil (Jul 20), Cosmos (Jul 20), Cucumber (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 5), Cabbage (Aug 14), Carrots (Aug 14), Beets (Aug 15), Dill (Aug 15), Swiss Chard (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 3), Arugula (Sep 13), Spinach (Sep 13), Radish (Sep 14). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 16). First frost around October 16. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 6). |
| 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 Lewistown, PA (ZIP 17044)?
The median last spring frost date for Lewistown, PA (ZIP code 17044) is around April 26. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Lewistown, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Lewistown, PA is around October 16. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lewistown, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Lewistown is about 173 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 Lewistown (173 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 Lewistown, PA?
Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Lewistown. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lewistown?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23.
When do I plant garlic in Lewistown?
Oct 16 to Nov 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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