Frost Dates for Reading, PA 19601
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 18 · 181 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 19601 has about 36,500 people, the largest of 10 ZIP codes in Reading.
Long season: 181 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–May 10 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–November 3 (32 days).
Frost probability for 19601
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 20 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 18 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at W CHESTER 2 NW (49.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Reading, PA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19606 | April 23 | October 15 | 7a |
| 19604 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19608 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
| 19607 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19605 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19602 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19610 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
| 19611 | April 20 | October 18 | 7a |
| 19609 | April 27 | October 15 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 181-day season in Reading
In Reading (181 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 30. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 244 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 23. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 23. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 23. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 286 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 237 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 4. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 13. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 23. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 146 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 146 available after May 4. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 27. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 181 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 27. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 160 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 4. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 20. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Reading
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| 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 Reading, PA (ZIP 19601)?
The median last spring frost date for Reading, PA (ZIP code 19601) is around April 20. 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 March 31; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Reading, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Reading, PA is around October 18. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Reading, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Reading is about 181 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 Reading (181 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 Reading, PA?
Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Reading. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Reading?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Reading?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Reading?
Yes: plant out May 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 18 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Reading, PA 19610 (2 mi)
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- Frost dates for Fleetwood, PA 19522 (9.3 mi)
- When to plant in Reading, PA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in PA
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- When to plant Cucumbers in PA
- When to plant Zucchini in PA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in PA
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