Frost dates and what to plant now

Enter a US ZIP code to see its typical last spring and first fall frost, its hardiness zone, and what you could plant around now.

What a typical frost date means

Frost dates here come from the nearest NOAA climate station with 30 years of records (1991–2020). The typical last spring frost is a window, not a single day: in about 3 years out of 10 the last freeze comes before it, and in about 3 out of 10 it comes after. The first fall frost window works the same way. A freeze means the air at shelter height, about 5 to 6 feet up, dropped to 32°F; frost can still form on plants on clear, calm nights when the air stays a few degrees warmer, especially in low spots.

Gardeners time most planting from these dates: cool-season crops like peas and lettuce go in a few weeks before the last spring frost, and warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and beans go in after it, once nights stay warm. Fall crops are counted back from the first fall frost. Our guides to starting a spring garden and planting a fall garden go crop by crop.

Frost dates and hardiness zones are different

Your USDA hardiness zone describes typical winter lows: the average coldest night of the year. It helps you choose fruit trees and perennials that will survive your winters. It doesn't set vegetable planting dates, because a zone says nothing about when spring frosts end or fall frosts begin. For trees, see our apple and lemon guides.

What this can't tell you

• The station can be several miles away, and at a different elevation. Your garden may run warmer or colder.
• A typical date is an average. Any given year can be early or late, so watch the forecast near your frost dates.
• Where freezes happen in fewer than half of years, planting follows heat and rain more than frost. Your county Extension office publishes a local planting calendar.

Where this comes from

• Typical frost dates and night temperatures: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020.
• Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and Oregon State University (PRISM Group). This page shows the zone as published; it isn't a map.
• ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau (2020 Census ZCTAs and block populations).
• Planting windows: US university extension services, cited under "Why now" for each suggestion. See how we research guidance.