Frost Dates for Quarryville, PA 17566
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 21 · 186 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 17566 has about 12,600 people.
Long season: 186 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–May 3 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 4 (29 days).
Frost probability for 17566
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 18 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 21 | November 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CONOWINGO DAM (23.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 186-day season in Quarryville
In Quarryville (186 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 14 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 28. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 21. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 21. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 21. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 291 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 242 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 2. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 11. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 21. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 2. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 25. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 186 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 25. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 165 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 25. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 2. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 18. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 25. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 25. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Quarryville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Quarryville, PA (ZIP 17566)?
The median last spring frost date for Quarryville, PA (ZIP code 17566) is around April 18. 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 3; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Quarryville, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Quarryville, PA is around October 21. 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 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Quarryville, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Quarryville is about 186 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 Quarryville (186 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 Quarryville, PA?
Quarryville, 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 Quarryville, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Quarryville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Quarryville?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Quarryville?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Quarryville?
Yes: plant out May 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
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