Clarion 3 SW, PA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Clarion 3 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
155 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 24 May 9 May 24
First fall frost Oct 26 Oct 11 Sep 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 29 · first Oct 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CLARION 3 SW 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 Clarion 3 SW

Computed from Clarion 3 SW'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 14 – Mar 28 May 16 – May 23
🫑 Peppers Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 23 – May 30
🥬 Lettuce Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – May 9
🫛 Peas Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥕 Carrots Apr 18 – May 9
🥦 Broccoli Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 18 – May 2
🥬 Kale Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🥒 Zucchini Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 16 – May 23
🌽 Sweet Corn May 16 – May 23
🌿 Basil Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 16 – May 23 May 23 – May 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 30 – Sep 27

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 Clarion 3 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Clarion 3 SW

Roughly 155 frost-free days gives Clarion 3 SW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 9; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 11 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Clarion 3 SW, PA?

The average last spring frost in Clarion 3 SW is around May 9, 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 Clarion 3 SW, PA?

The average first fall frost in Clarion 3 SW arrives around Oct 11. 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 Clarion 3 SW?

About 155 frost-free days on average, from May 9 to Oct 11. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Clarion 3 SW 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.