Frost Dates for Saint Marys, PA 15857
Last spring frost May 24 · First fall frost September 28 · 127 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 15857 has about 12,700 people.
Moderate season: 127 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 8–June 9 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 12 (27 days).
Frost probability for 15857
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 9 | May 24 | May 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 15 | September 28 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RIDGWAY (18.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 127-day season in Saint Marys
In Saint Marys (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 19 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 85 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 85 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Carrots | — | May 3–May 10 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after May 3. | Jul 27 |
| Cucumber | May 3 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 7. | Jul 2 |
| Beans | — | May 31–Jun 14 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 31. | Jul 9 |
| Peas | — | Mar 29–Jun 7 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Mar 29. | Jul 18 |
| Zucchini | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 7. | Jul 7 |
| Onion | Mar 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 162 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 29–May 17 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Kale | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 26. | Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 26. | Jul 27 |
| Radish | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | May 10–May 17 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 28 | 232 | overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer. | Oct 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 19–Jun 14 | 183 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after May 31. | Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 92 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 12 | May 17–May 31 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 17. | Jul 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 29 | May 10–May 10 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 26. | Jun 27 |
| Butternut Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 92 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 5 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 85 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 7. | Jun 8 |
| Okra | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 106 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after May 31. | Jul 7 |
| Basil | Apr 19 | Jun 14–Jun 14 | 92 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 14. | Jul 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 26–May 17 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Parsley | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 31. | Jul 13 |
| Celery | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 14 | 127 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 127 available after May 31. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Collards | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cantaloupe | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 85 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Chives | Mar 1 | May 31–Jun 7 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Oregano | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 1 | May 31–Jun 7 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 31. | — |
| Sage | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 31. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 31. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Cosmos | Apr 26 | May 24–Jun 7 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 2 |
| Lavender | Mar 1 | May 24–Jun 7 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 12 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 12 |
| Melons | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 85 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Mint | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 31–Jun 14 | 106 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 106 available after May 31. | Jun 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 92 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jun 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 92 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 92 available after May 31. | Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | May 10 | May 31–Jun 7 | 92 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 92 available after May 31. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 7. | Jul 7 |
| Zinnias | Apr 26 | May 24–Jun 7 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jul 2 |
Month by month in Saint Marys
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 1), Lavender (Mar 1), Onion (Mar 1), Rosemary (Mar 1), Celery (Mar 15), Collards (Mar 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 29), Beets (Mar 29), Dill (Mar 29), Peas (Mar 29), Radish (Mar 29), Spinach (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 5), Calendula (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Marigolds (Apr 12), Pepper (Apr 12), Basil (Apr 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 12), Cilantro (Apr 26), Turnip (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 26), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 26), Cabbage (Apr 26), Collards (Apr 26), Kale (Apr 26), Lettuce (Apr 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 19). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 3), Butternut Squash (May 10), Cantaloupe (May 10), Melons (May 10), Pumpkin (May 10), Spaghetti Squash (May 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 3), Potatoes (May 10), Sunflowers (May 24), Beans (May 31), Pole Beans (May 31). Transplant from: Calendula (May 10), Swiss Chard (May 10), Bok Choy (May 17), Cauliflower (May 17), Cosmos (May 24), Lavender (May 24), +15 more. Last frost around May 24. |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Cucumber (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Pepper (Jun 7), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), Pole Beans (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Saint Marys, PA (ZIP 15857)?
The median last spring frost date for Saint Marys, PA (ZIP code 15857) is around May 24. 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 May 8; one in ten it runs past June 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Saint Marys, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Saint Marys, PA is around September 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 September 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Saint Marys, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Saint Marys is about 127 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 Saint Marys (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Saint Marys, PA?
Saint Marys, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 Saint Marys, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 19 and plant out Jun 7 in Saint Marys. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Saint Marys?
Two: plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.
When do I plant garlic in Saint Marys?
Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Saint Marys?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Clearfield (ZIP 16830) has 147 frost-free days, 20 more than Saint Marys (ZIP 15857). See Clearfield ZIP 16830 frost dates
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