Frost Dates for North East, PA 16428
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 28 · 182 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 16428 has about 12,600 people.
Long season: 182 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 16 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 11 (28 days).
Frost probability for 16428
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | April 29 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 28 | November 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ERIE INTL AP (30.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 182-day season in North East
In North East (182 frost-free days, a long 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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 245 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 4. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 1. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 1. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 287 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 238 | 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 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after May 6. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 13. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 22. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 1. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 13. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 182 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 161 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 161 available after May 6. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 13. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 29. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in North East
| 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. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 15), Pumpkin (Jun 15), Cantaloupe (Jun 23), Celery (Jun 23), Melons (Jun 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 25), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 3), Tomatillos (Jul 3), Eggplant (Jul 8), Corn (Jul 10), Sunflowers (Jul 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 27), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 1), Cosmos (Aug 1), Cucumber (Aug 1), Zinnias (Aug 1), Broccoli (Aug 2), Nasturtiums (Aug 6), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 1), Cilantro (Sep 1), Collards (Sep 5), Scallions (Sep 5), Bok Choy (Sep 6), Lettuce (Sep 6), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 28). First frost around October 28. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 18). |
| 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 North East, PA (ZIP 16428)?
The median last spring frost date for North East, PA (ZIP code 16428) 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 16.
What is the first fall frost date in North East, PA?
The median first fall frost date for North East, PA is around October 28. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in North East, PA?
The frost-free growing season in North East is about 182 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 North East (182 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is North East, PA?
North East, 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 North East, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in North East. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in North East?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in North East?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in North East?
Yes: plant out May 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 28 for a fall crop.
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