This frost information is sourced from National Centers For Environmental Information Official weather stations (NCEI.NOAA.Gov), the date are calculated based on weather data from 1991-2020 (U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Annual/Seasonal Climate Normals (1991-2020)).
Frost Date by ZipCode
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First and Last Frost Dates of USA
What are Frost Dates?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines frost dates as the average dates of the first and last freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C) in spring and fall. These dates are important for agricultural or garden planning and are based on historical temperature data collected over a 30-year period, which is U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Annual/Seasonal Climate Normals (1991-2020).
The “last spring frost date” marks the end of the winter freezing period, and the “first fall frost date” indicates the beginning of the fall freezing period. These dates help farmers and gardeners find the length of the growing season and plan their planting and harvesting schedules accordingly.
What is Last Frost Date?
The USDA defines the Last Frost Date as the average date of the last freezing temperature (32°F or 0°C) in spring. This date is calculated based on historical temperature data collected from weather stations, over a 30-year period and marks the end of the winter freezing period. The Last Frost Date indicates when it is generally safe to plant tender crops without the risk of frost damage.
What is First Frost Date?
The USDA defines the First Frost Date as the average date of the first freezing temperature (32°F or 0°C) in autumn. This date is calculated using historical temperature data collected ffrom weather stations, over a 30-year period and marks the beginning of the fall freezing period. The First Frost Date indicates when to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops.
What Does Frost Date Mean for My Garden?
According to the USDA, these dates represent the average first and last occurrences of freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C) in your area. For your garden, the last spring frost date indicates when it’s safe to plant tender crops without risk of frost damage, and the first fall frost date indicates when you should prepare to protect or harvest frost-sensitive plants. These dates help determine your growing season’s length and inform decisions on crop selection, planting times, and protective measures.