Frost Dates for Oil City, PA 16301
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost October 10 · 146 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 16301 has about 15,200 people.
Moderate season: 146 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–June 3 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 26 (32 days).
Frost probability for 16301
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 3 | May 17 | April 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 10 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TIONESTA 2 SE LAKE (17.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 146-day season in Oil City
In Oil City (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 26. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 31. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 24. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 22. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 31. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 19. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 19. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 251 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 202 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 24. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 10. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 19. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 24 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after Jun 7. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 146 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 125 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 125 available after May 24. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 31. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 24. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 24. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 31. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Oil City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Oil City, PA (ZIP 16301)?
The median last spring frost date for Oil City, PA (ZIP code 16301) is around May 17. 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 30; one in ten it runs past June 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Oil City, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Oil City, PA is around October 10. 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 Oil City, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Oil City is about 146 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 Oil City (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Oil City, PA?
Oil City, 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 Oil City, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Oil City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Oil City?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Oil City?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Meadville (ZIP 16335) has 160 frost-free days, 14 more than Oil City (ZIP 16301). See Meadville ZIP 16335 frost dates
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