Last frost date by ZIP code
Your last frost date is when spring's final 32°F night usually happens. Enter a ZIP to see it with the real odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 records for the weather station nearest you.
Three dates, three risks
For Columbus, Ohio (example)
| Early (90% chance of frost after) | Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Average (50%) | Apr 20 |
| Safe (10% chance of frost after) | May 7 |
| Average last hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 |
Pick your own risk
April 20
Plant on April 20 and roughly 50 springs in 100 will still bring a frost afterwards.
Curve: chance of a 32°F frost still to come after each date. Fitted to NOAA's 10%, 50% and 90% dates for this station.
Why the "average" last frost date is a coin toss
NOAA calculates freeze dates by looking at 30 years of daily minimum temperatures at each station and fitting the spread of last-freeze dates. The 50% date is the middle of that spread. Plant a tomato on it and, in half of springs, a frost still arrives afterwards. That's why seed packets say "after all danger of frost has passed" rather than "on the last frost date".
The spread matters as much as the middle. At a windy coastal station the 90% and 10% dates may be three weeks apart; in an inland valley they can be six weeks apart. Drag the slider above and watch how far the date moves between 50% and 10% risk. That gap is your local margin of error.
What to plant around your last frost
- 4–6 weeks before: peas, spinach, onion sets, radishes (they tolerate frost). See when to plant peas.
- 2–4 weeks before: potatoes, lettuce, beets, carrots, cabbage transplants.
- On or just after: hardened-off broccoli, and bean or corn seed once the soil is 60°F.
- 1–3 weeks after: tomatoes, then peppers, eggplant, basil, squash and melons.
For seeds started indoors, count backwards from this date with the seed starting calculator.
Last frost dates for major cities
| City | Average last frost |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | Mar 30 |
| Chicago, IL | Apr 10 |
| Houston, TX | Feb 2 |
| Phoenix, AZ | Jan 5 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Mar 30 |
| Dallas, TX | Mar 2 |
| Atlanta, GA | Mar 24 |
| Seattle, WA | Mar 13 |
| Denver, CO | Apr 30 |
| Boston, MA | Apr 4 |
| Minneapolis, MN | Apr 23 |
| Kansas City, MO | Apr 4 |
| Nashville, TN | Apr 1 |
| Portland, OR | Feb 25 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Mar 31 |
| Columbus, OH | Apr 20 |
| Charlotte, NC | Mar 30 |
| Detroit, MI | Apr 21 |
| Raleigh, NC | Mar 28 |
Last frost date FAQ
What is the last frost date?
The last frost date is the average date of the final 32°F night in spring. NOAA defines it statistically: after the 50% date, a frost occurs in only half of years; after the 10% date, in only one year in ten.
How do I find my last frost date by ZIP code?
Enter your ZIP code on this page. Seasonwise finds the nearest of more than 7,000 NOAA weather stations with freeze records and shows its 90%, 50% and 10% last-freeze dates from the 1991–2020 climate normals.
Is it safe to plant on the last frost date?
Not for frost-tender plants. On the average date there is still a 50% chance of a later frost. Hardy crops like peas, spinach and onions are fine weeks earlier; tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are safer after the 10% date, or with frost cloth ready.
What is the difference between a frost and a hard freeze?
A light frost (32°F) kills tender plants such as tomatoes and beans. A hard freeze (28°F or lower for several hours) also damages many hardy crops. Seasonwise shows the average last 28°F date alongside the 32°F date.
Why is my last frost date different from what a neighbor says?
Frost depends on local terrain. Cold air drains into valleys and low spots, while cities and slopes stay warmer. Your garden can be a week or more off the nearest station, so treat the dates as a starting point.
Ask about frost and planting
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.