Last Frost Date: Your Garden's Starting Gun
Every experienced gardener knows their last frost date by heart. This single date determines when you can safely transplant tender seedlings, direct-sow warm-season crops, and stop worrying about frozen plants.
How to Find Your Last Frost Date
In the US, the USDA provides frost date estimates by zip code. In the UK, the Met Office and RHS offer regional guidance. In most of temperate Europe, the last frost falls between late April and late May depending on altitude and latitude. Remember — these are averages, not guarantees.
Frost-Hardy vs. Frost-Tender Crops
- Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost: Peas, spinach, radishes, lettuce, kale, onion sets
- Plant 2 weeks before last frost: Beets, carrots, chard, potatoes
- Plant on or after last frost: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, corn
- Plant 2 weeks after last frost: Melons, sweet potatoes, eggplant, okra
Hedging Your Bets
Even after your average last frost date, surprise frosts happen. Keep row covers, cloches, or old bedsheets handy for the first few weeks. A simple wall of water around tomatoes can protect them from temperatures down to 20 F (-6 C).
Extending the Season
Cold frames and low tunnels let you push the season 2-4 weeks earlier in spring and later in fall. A greenhouse or high tunnel extends it even further. If you are serious about self-sufficiency, season extension tools are a worthwhile investment.
Seedtojar calculates your planting windows automatically based on your location and sends reminders when it is time to sow, transplant, and harvest.