Altoona 7 SW, PA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Altoona 7 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 25
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
178 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 10 Apr 25 May 14
First fall frost Nov 3 Oct 20 Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 12 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ALTOONA 7 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 Altoona 7 SW

Computed from Altoona 7 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 Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 2 – May 9
🫑 Peppers Feb 14 – Feb 28 May 9 – May 16
🥬 Lettuce Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11 Mar 28 – Apr 25
🫛 Peas Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥕 Carrots Apr 4 – Apr 25
🥦 Broccoli Mar 7 – Mar 21 Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥬 Kale Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11 Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 28 – Apr 4 May 2 – May 9 May 2 – May 9
🥒 Zucchini Mar 28 – Apr 4 May 2 – May 9 May 2 – May 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 2 – May 9
🌽 Sweet Corn May 2 – May 9
🌿 Basil Mar 14 – Mar 28 May 2 – May 9 May 9 – May 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 8 – Oct 6

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 Altoona 7 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Altoona 7 SW

Roughly 178 frost-free days gives Altoona 7 SW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 25; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 20 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Altoona 7 SW, PA?

The average last spring frost in Altoona 7 SW is around Apr 25, 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 Altoona 7 SW, PA?

The average first fall frost in Altoona 7 SW arrives around Oct 20. 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 Altoona 7 SW?

About 178 frost-free days on average, from Apr 25 to Oct 20. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Altoona 7 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.