Planting Date Calculator

Frost dates indicate when the last spring frost and first fall frost typically occur in your area. The last spring frost date tells you when it's safe to plant frost-sensitive crops outdoors. The first fall frost date helps you plan fall plantings and know when to protect or harvest tender plants.

These are average historical dates with about a 50% probability. Actual frost dates vary year to year by 2-4 weeks. For precise dates, check your local extension office or weather history. Container gardeners have an advantage - you can move pots to protect plants from unexpected frosts.

Count backwards from your transplant date. Tomatoes need 6-8 weeks indoors, peppers need 8-10 weeks, and quick crops like lettuce need only 4-6 weeks. Starting too early leads to leggy, weak seedlings. Use our calculator to get specific dates for each plant.

For cold-sensitive plants like tomatoes and peppers, 'after last frost' typically means 1-2 weeks after the average last frost date to ensure soil has warmed. For warm-soil crops, wait until soil temperature reaches 60°F or higher, which may be 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Yes, for cold-hardy crops! Peas, spinach, lettuce, kale, and radishes can be planted 2-4 weeks before the last frost. These plants tolerate light freezes. In containers, you can also start earlier since you can move pots to shelter if frost threatens.

USDA hardiness zones indicate minimum winter temperatures, which correlate with frost dates. Lower zones (3-5) have later last spring frosts and earlier fall frosts. Higher zones (8-11) have longer growing seasons. Zone is a good starting point, but local microclimates matter too.