Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Typical last spring frost April 4 (1 spring in 10 later than April 17). Typical first fall frost November 7 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 24). Growing season about 216 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 21 and fades out by April 17. It is unlikely from then until October 24, and likely again after November 22. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 4 and November 7.

January

  • January 17 to February 14: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • January 31 to February 28: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 14 to March 7: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 21 to March 7: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • February 28 to March 14: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 7 to 21: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 7 to 21: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 21 to April 4: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 21 to April 4: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 4: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 18: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 18: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 12 to 26: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 2 to 16: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

August

  • August 11: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 16: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 20: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 21: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 25: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 4: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 14: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 24: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 24: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 26 to December 3: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Philadelphia Ne Airport (station USW00094732), 8 miles from the center of Philadelphia. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/pennsylvania/philadelphia/

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