Frost Dates by ZIP Code
Enter your ZIP code to see your last spring frost, first fall frost and growing season, with the real odds of frost on any date and a planting calendar for your garden.
Or browse by state and city.
How to use your frost dates
- Average last frost: the date when there's still a 50% chance of one more frost. Hardy crops like peas, spinach and onions go in a few weeks before it.
- Safe to plant: only a 10% chance of frost after this date. A good target for tomatoes, peppers, squash and basil.
- Average first frost: when fall frost usually arrives. Count back from it to plan fall crops and to know when to harvest tender plants.
Frequently asked questions
What is a frost date?
Your last frost date is the average date of the last 32°F night in spring; your first frost date is the average date of the first 32°F night in fall. They come from 30 years of weather records at the nearest station, so they describe typical years, not this year.
Is it safe to plant on my last frost date?
Not quite. On the average last frost date there's still about a 50% chance of another frost. For frost-tender plants such as tomatoes, peppers and basil, wait for the date with only a 10% chance (shown as 'Safe to plant') and check the forecast.
What is the difference between frost and freeze?
A light frost (36°F at the weather station) can damage tender plants on clear, calm nights. A freeze (32°F) kills tender plants, and a hard freeze (28°F) damages most vegetables except the hardiest, such as kale, spinach and garlic.
Where does this data come from?
From NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020, the official 30-year averages computed by the National Centers for Environmental Information for about 7,000 weather stations. We match your ZIP code to the nearest station.