Bradford 4SW Rsch 5, PA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bradford 4SW Rsch 5 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
139 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 30 May 18 May 31
First fall frost Oct 19 Oct 4 Sep 21
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 4 · first Oct 17

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BRADFORD 4SW RSCH 5 station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bradford 4SW Rsch 5

Computed from Bradford 4SW Rsch 5's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 23 – Apr 6 May 25 – Jun 1
🫑 Peppers Mar 9 – Mar 23 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🥬 Lettuce Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 20 – May 4 Apr 20 – May 18
🫛 Peas Apr 6 – Apr 20
🥕 Carrots Apr 27 – May 18
🥦 Broccoli Mar 30 – Apr 13 Apr 27 – May 11
🥬 Kale Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 20 – May 4 Apr 20 – May 4
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 20 – Apr 27 May 25 – Jun 1 May 25 – Jun 1
🥒 Zucchini Apr 20 – Apr 27 May 25 – Jun 1 May 25 – Jun 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 25 – Jun 1
🌽 Sweet Corn May 25 – Jun 1
🌿 Basil Apr 6 – Apr 20 May 25 – Jun 1 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 23 – Sep 20

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bradford 4SW Rsch 5's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5

At about 139 frost-free days, Bradford 4SW Rsch 5 rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5, PA?

The average last spring frost in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5 is around May 18, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5, PA?

The average first fall frost in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5 arrives around Oct 4. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bradford 4SW Rsch 5?

About 139 frost-free days on average, from May 18 to Oct 4. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Bradford 4SW Rsch 5 in?

USDA zone 6b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.