First Frost Date: How to Plan Your Garden Before Cold Weather Hits

Want to know when your garden will face its first frost or final spring freeze? Just enter your ZIP Code into ourFrost Dates Calculator to get personalized results based on official NOAA climate data. These dates help you plan when to sow, transplant, and protect your plants.

This guide explains how frost dates affect your garden, what to plant before the cold sets in, and how to protect your plants from damage.

What Is a First Frost Date?

Your first frost date is the average day when temperatures in your area drop to 32°F (0°C), cold enough to damage or kill tender plants. These dates are based on historical weather data and represent a 30% chance of frost occurring.

Keep in mind:

• Frost may arrive earlier or later than average
• Microclimates (urban areas, valleys, etc.) can affect timing
• Use frost dates as planning tools—not guarantees

Why First and Last Frost Dates Matter

Frost dates define your growing season—the number of days between the last spring freeze and the first fall frost. This window determines which crops you can grow to maturity and when to start or end planting.

Gardeners use frost dates to:

• Schedule spring and fall planting
• Harvest warm-season crops before damage
• Transition houseplants indoors
• Protect vulnerable plants with covers or cloches

How to Use Your First Frost Date

Your first frost date is a seasonal signal to shift from growth to preservation. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Time Final Plantings: Count backward from your expected frost date to choose crops that mature quickly. Fast growers like radishes, spinach, and arugula can still thrive in early fall.
• Harvest Before Damage: Tender crops like tomatoes, basil, and peppers won’t survive frost. Use your frost date to plan final harvests and preserve what you can.
• Protect What’s Still Growing:Use row covers, cloches, or even old bedsheets to shield late-season crops. This can extend your harvest by several days or weeks.

Can You Still Plant a Fall Garden?

Yes—if you act quickly. Late summer and early fall are ideal for planting cool-season crops that mature before frost.

Best vegetables for fall planting:

• Leafy greens:spinach, kale, lettuce
• Root vegetables: radishes, turnips
• Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage
• Herbs: cilantro, parsley

Explore our guide tovegetables for fall planting.

How to Protect Plants from Frost

Use your frost date to prepare your garden for cold weather:

• Harvest warm-weather crops before temperatures drop
• Move houseplants indoors when nights fall below 50°F
• Cover sensitive plants with row covers or cloches
• Stop fertilizing perennials to encourage dormancy

Learn more in our Frost Protection Tips. 

Understanding Your Growing Season

Your growing season is the number of frost-free days between spring and fall. This determines what you can grow and when to plant.

Use growing season data to:

• Choose crops suited to your climate
• Plan staggered plantings for continuous harvests
• Avoid planting crops that won’t mature in time

Ready to put your frost dates to work? Visit theAlmanac Planting Calendarto see when to sow, transplant, and harvest top crops in your region—tailored to your ZIP Code and growing season.
 

📆Wondering how much growing time is left? The Almanac Garden Club gives you region-specific advice, frost alerts, and tools to help you plan your next steps
—so you can stay ahead of the season.Check Your Growing Timeline.

Frost Date FAQs

Q: Can frost arrive earlier than expected? 
A: Yes—frost dates are averages. Monitor local forecasts closely during seasonal transitions.

Q: What’s the difference between frost and freeze? 
A: Frost occurs near freezing and can damage plants gradually. A freeze is 32°F or below and causes more severe harm.

Q: When should I bring houseplants inside? 
A: Start when nighttime temperatures fall below 50°F—ideally 1–2 weeks before your projected frost date.

Q: Which plants can handle a light frost? 
A: Hardy greens, root vegetables, and some brassicas can tolerate light frost. Tender crops like basil and tomatoes are more sensitive.

Keep Planning Your Fall Garden

• What to Do in the Garden This Fall
• Extend the Growing Season
• Hardiness Zones vs. Frost Dates