Frost Dates for Pittsburgh, PA 15290
Pittsburgh has 43 ZIP codes. The Pittsburgh, PA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 17 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 14 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 2 (30 days).
Frost probability for 15290
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 30 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 17 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DONORA 1 SW (35.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh (170 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 26 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 9. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 5. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 2. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 14. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 23. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 2. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 14. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 7. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 14. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 30. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Pittsburgh
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA (ZIP 15290)?
The median last spring frost date for Pittsburgh, PA (ZIP code 15290) is around April 30. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Pittsburgh, PA is around October 17. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Pittsburgh is about 170 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 Pittsburgh (170 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Pittsburgh. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Pittsburgh?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Pittsburgh?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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