When is the last frost in Reading, PA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Reading is around April 14, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Reading Spaatz Fld, PA station (1.6 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Reading?

The average first fall frost in Reading, PA is around October 29, giving roughly a 197-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Reading, PA?

Reading is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Reading?

In Reading, PA the warmest month is July (avg high 86.5°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 23°F). It averages about 45.2″ of precipitation a year.

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Reading, PA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 19601 · elevation 104′ · NOAA & USDA data

Reading is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 197 days between the average last spring frost (April 14) and first fall frost (October 29). The warmest month is July (avg high 86.5°F); the coldest is January (avg low 23°F). It averages 45.2″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 14

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 29

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

197 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 86.5°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Reading

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Reading Spaatz Fld, PA (1.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	38.6	23	30.8	3	–
February	41.9	24.4	33.1	2.6	–
March	51	31.9	41.5	3.5	–
April	63.4	41.7	52.5	3.4	–
May	73.5	51.5	62.5	3.5	–
June	82	61.2	71.6	4.8	–
July	86.5	65.8	76.1	4.8	–
August	84.4	64.1	74.3	4.5	–
September	77.1	56.6	66.9	4.9	–
October	65.4	45	55.2	3.8	–
November	53.8	35.4	44.6	3	–
December	43.4	28	35.7	3.5	–

What to plant when in Reading

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 3 · Transplant out: April 21
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 17 · Transplant out: April 28
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 21
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 21
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 21
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 21
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 21
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): September 3
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 3
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 17 · Sow (fall): September 3
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 24 · Sow (fall): August 20
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 31
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 24 · Sow (fall): August 20
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 31
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 17 · Sow (fall): September 17

Dates are computed from Reading's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Pennsylvania

Lancaster, PA Bethlehem, PA Philadelphia, PA York, PA Harrisburg, PA Scranton, PA State College, PA Altoona, PA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Reading Spaatz Fld, PA, 1.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Reading Spaatz Fld, PA, 1.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.