Last frost date in Lancaster, PA

Average last frost
April 19

Expect the last frost in Lancaster around April 19. Frost after May 7 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 24, which leaves 186 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 9 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 7
Average first frost
Oct 24
Frost-free season
186 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 5
Next 7 nights in Lancaster

Frost likely Fri night, low 31°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2331°frost
  3. SatOct 2435°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 19First frost Oct 24186 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND186 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lancaster 2NE Fltr Plt, 1.5 miles from Lancaster.

Planting calendar for Lancaster

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 26–May 10
PumpkinsMay 3–May 17
SunflowersApr 19–May 10
CucumbersMay 3–May 10
CornApr 26–May 10
Sweet potatoesMay 10–May 24
WatermelonMay 3–May 17
Green beansApr 26–May 17
ZucchiniApr 26–May 10
OkraMay 10–May 24
PeppersMay 3–May 17
BasilApr 26–May 10
Butternut squashApr 26–May 10
CantaloupeMay 3–May 17
EggplantMay 3–May 17
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 22–Apr 5
OnionsMar 8–Mar 29
CarrotsMar 29–May 3
LettuceApr 5–Apr 26
BroccoliMar 22–Apr 5
BeetsMar 22–May 3
PeasMar 8–Mar 22
CabbageMar 22–Apr 5
RadishesMar 15–Apr 26
Brussels sproutsApr 5–Apr 19
SpinachMar 8–Mar 29
CilantroApr 5–Apr 26
KaleMar 22–Apr 5
Collard greensMar 22–Apr 5
TurnipsMar 22–Apr 5
DillApr 19–May 3
CeleryApr 26–May 3
CauliflowerApr 5–Apr 19
LeeksApr 5–Apr 19
Swiss chardApr 5–May 3
ParsleyApr 5–Apr 26
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 10–Nov 14
GarlicOct 3–Nov 7
Daffodil bulbsSep 26–Nov 7
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 22–Apr 5
AsparagusMar 22–Apr 5

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 5Apr 19May 7Oct 9Oct 24Nov 6
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 22Apr 5Apr 24Oct 20Nov 4Nov 20

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 Lancaster 2NE Fltr Plt (USC00364763) sits 1.5 miles from the center of Lancaster at 270 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 Lancaster, PA?

The average last frost date in Lancaster is April 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.

When is the first frost in Lancaster?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 24. One year in ten it arrives before October 9.

How long is the growing season in Lancaster?

About 186 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lancaster?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 26 to May 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Pennsylvania

All 35 cities in Pennsylvania