Frost Dates by ZIP — When It's Safe to Plant
Frost dates are more useful than zones for telling you when to start tomatoes, basil, peppers, and squash. Here's how to find yours and what to do with it.
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What are last and first frost dates?
Last spring frost: the average date of the last 32°F night in spring — your green light for tender annuals. First fall frost: the average date of the first 32°F night in fall — your countdown clock for harvesting and protecting tender plants.
How to use frost dates
- Cool-season vegetables (lettuce, peas, spinach, broccoli): plant 4–6 weeks BEFORE last frost. They handle light frost fine.
- Tender annuals (tomatoes, basil, peppers, eggplant, beans): plant 1–2 weeks AFTER last frost when soil is 60°F+.
- Heat-lovers (okra, melons, sweet potatoes): wait 2–3 weeks after last frost. Cold soil stunts them permanently.
- Counting backward from fall frost: long-season tomatoes need 70–90 days from transplant. If your first frost is Oct 15, transplant by July 15 for a fall harvest.
Approximate U.S. frost windows
| Region | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| Far North (Zone 3–4) | Late May – early June | Early September |
| Upper Midwest (Zone 4–5) | Mid-May | Late September |
| Mid-Atlantic (Zone 6–7) | Mid-April – early May | Mid-October |
| Southeast (Zone 7–8) | Late March – mid-April | Late October – early November |
| Gulf Coast (Zone 9) | Late February – mid-March | Late November – early December |
| S. Florida / S. Texas (Zone 10+) | Frost rare | Frost rare |
Local microclimates can shift these by 1–3 weeks. Get your exact ZIP-level dates →
Quick frost protection
- Frost cloth or row cover — protects to ~28°F. Cheapest, most effective.
- Old bedsheets — work in a pinch. Don't use plastic touching leaves (transfers cold).
- Water deeply the day before. Wet soil holds 4× more heat than dry.
- Mulch heavily around the base — buys you 2–4°F on cold ground.
Free frost alerts for your ZIP
SproutZip Pro sends you frost warnings 24h before. $4.99/mo, 7-day free trial.
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