Frost Dates for Littlestown, PA 17340
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 13 · 167 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 17340 has about 11,400 people.
Moderate season: 167 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 14 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–October 26 (26 days).
Frost probability for 17340
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 29 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 13 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EMMITSBURG 2 SE (17.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 167-day season in Littlestown
In Littlestown (167 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 25 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 8. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 230 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 4. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 1. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 1. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 272 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 223 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 6. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 22. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 1. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 20. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 6. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 167 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 167 available after May 6. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 146 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 146 available after May 6. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 29. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Littlestown
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Littlestown, PA (ZIP 17340)?
The median last spring frost date for Littlestown, PA (ZIP code 17340) is around April 29. 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 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Littlestown, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Littlestown, PA is around October 13. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Littlestown, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Littlestown is about 167 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 Littlestown (167 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 Littlestown, PA?
Littlestown, 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 Littlestown, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Littlestown. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Littlestown?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Littlestown?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Taneytown (ZIP 21787) has 185 frost-free days, 18 more than Littlestown (ZIP 17340). See Taneytown ZIP 21787 frost dates
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