Frost Dates for State College, PA 16801
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 14 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 16801 has about 40,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in State College.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 11 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–October 29 (29 days).
Frost probability for 16801
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 27 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 14 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STATE COLLEGE (2.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in State College, PA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16801 | April 27 | October 14 | 6b |
| 16803 | April 27 | October 14 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 170-day season in State College
In State College (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 23 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 19 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 6. | Aug 12 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 2. | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 30. | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 30. | Aug 12 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21. | Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 14 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer. | Nov 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 26 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 20. | Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 30. | Jul 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 24 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 4. | Jul 29 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jul 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11. | Jun 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jul 8 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 19 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
Month by month in State College
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4). |
| 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 State College, PA (ZIP 16801)?
The median last spring frost date for State College, PA (ZIP code 16801) is around April 27. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in State College, PA?
The median first fall frost date for State College, PA is around October 14. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in State College, PA?
The frost-free growing season in State College 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 State College (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 State College, PA?
State College, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 State College, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in State College. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in State College?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.
When do I plant garlic in State College?
Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for University Park, PA 16802 (1.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Bellefonte, PA 16823 (10.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Philipsburg, PA 16866 (18.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Lewistown, PA 17044 (19.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Huntingdon, PA 16652 (19.4 mi)
- When to plant in PA
- When to plant Peppers in PA
- When to plant Cucumbers in PA
- When to plant Zucchini in PA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in PA
- When to plant Basil in PA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in PA
- Look up another ZIP