Last frost date in Chester, PA

Average last frost
March 30

The average last frost in Chester is March 30. By April 9 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 16, which leaves 230 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 9
Average first frost
Nov 16
Frost-free season
230 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 20
Next 7 nights in Chester

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2337°
  3. SatOct 2438°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 30First frost Nov 16230 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND230 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Marcus Hook, 3.3 miles from Chester.

Planting calendar for Chester

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Pennsylvania.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 6–Apr 20
PumpkinsApr 13–Apr 27
SunflowersMar 30–Apr 20
CucumbersApr 13–Apr 20
CornApr 6–Apr 20
Sweet potatoesApr 20–May 4
WatermelonApr 13–Apr 27
Green beansApr 6–Apr 27
ZucchiniApr 6–Apr 20
OkraApr 20–May 4
PeppersApr 13–Apr 27
BasilApr 6–Apr 20
Butternut squashApr 6–Apr 20
CantaloupeApr 13–Apr 27
EggplantApr 13–Apr 27
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 2–Mar 16
OnionsFeb 16–Mar 9
CarrotsMar 9–Apr 13
LettuceMar 16–Apr 6
BroccoliMar 2–Mar 16
BeetsMar 2–Apr 13
PeasFeb 16–Mar 2
CabbageMar 2–Mar 16
RadishesFeb 23–Apr 6
Brussels sproutsMar 16–Mar 30
SpinachFeb 16–Mar 9
CilantroMar 16–Apr 6
KaleMar 2–Mar 16
Collard greensMar 2–Mar 16
TurnipsMar 2–Mar 16
DillMar 30–Apr 13
CeleryApr 6–Apr 13
CauliflowerMar 16–Mar 30
LeeksMar 16–Mar 30
Swiss chardMar 16–Apr 13
ParsleyMar 16–Apr 6
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 2–Dec 7
GarlicOct 26–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 19–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 2–Mar 16
AsparagusMar 2–Mar 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 16Mar 30Apr 9Nov 2Nov 16Dec 2
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 4Mar 20Mar 31Nov 11Nov 28Dec 15

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Marcus Hook (USC00365390) sits 3.3 miles from the center of Chester at 10 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Chester, PA?

The average last frost date in Chester is March 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 9.

When is the first frost in Chester?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 16. One year in ten it arrives before November 2.

How long is the growing season in Chester?

About 230 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Chester?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 6 to April 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Pennsylvania

All 35 cities in Pennsylvania