Last Frost Dates by State: The Complete US Guide (2026)
The average last spring frost date is the single most important number in your planting calendar. Get it wrong and a late cold snap wipes out your transplants. Get it right and you can plant with confidence every spring.
Find Your Exact Frost Date
Enter your ZIP, city, or state for a personalized planting calendar with your exact dates.
What Is a Last Frost Date?
A last frost date is the statistically average date of the final freeze (28°F or below) in spring for a given location. It's calculated from 30 years of NOAA weather station data and represents the date after which there's a 50% chance that temperatures won't drop to killing-frost levels again until fall.
It's the anchor for your entire spring planting calendar:
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant Start indoors 6–10 weeks before last frost; transplant 1–2 weeks after
- Cucumbers, squash, melons Sow directly 1–2 weeks after last frost
- Basil Transplant outdoors 2 weeks after last frost (very frost-sensitive)
- Peas, spinach, lettuce Sow outdoors 4–6 weeks before last frost (frost-tolerant)
- Carrots, beets, radishes Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before last frost
Important: The last frost date is an average, not a guarantee. In any given year your actual last frost could be 2–3 weeks earlier or later. For frost-sensitive transplants, many experienced gardeners wait until 2 weeks after the listed date as a safety buffer, or keep row cover handy.
Last Frost Dates for All 50 States
Typical date = most common zone's average. Range = earliest to latest across all ZIP codes in the state. Click a state name to see zone-by-zone breakdowns and plant-specific planting dates.
Alabama
Zone 8a · Feb 10 – Apr 5
Mar 25
typical
Alaska
Zone 5a · Mar 15 – Jun 15
May 10
typical
Arizona
Zone 9b · Jan 25 – Apr 25
Feb 15
typical
Arkansas
Zone 8a · Mar 15 – Apr 10
Mar 25
typical
California
Zone 9b · Jan 1 – Apr 25
Feb 15
typical
Colorado
Zone 6a · Apr 10 – May 15
Apr 25
typical
Connecticut
Zone 6b · Apr 5 – Apr 20
Apr 20
typical
Delaware
Zone 7b · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Apr 5
typical
District of Columbia
Zone 8a · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Mar 25
typical
Florida
Zone 10a · Jan 1 – Mar 15
Jan 25
typical
Georgia
Zone 8a · Feb 20 – Apr 10
Mar 25
typical
Hawaii
Zone 12b · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Jan 1
typical
Idaho
Zone 6b · Apr 5 – May 15
Apr 20
typical
Illinois
Zone 6a · Apr 10 – May 10
Apr 25
typical
Indiana
Zone 6a · Apr 10 – Apr 25
Apr 25
typical
Iowa
Zone 5a · Apr 20 – May 10
May 10
typical
Kansas
Zone 6b · Apr 10 – Apr 20
Apr 20
typical
Kentucky
Zone 7a · Apr 5 – Apr 20
Apr 10
typical
Louisiana
Zone 9a · Jan 25 – Mar 15
Feb 25
typical
Maine
Zone 5b · Apr 10 – May 20
May 5
typical
Maryland
Zone 7b · Mar 20 – Apr 20
Apr 5
typical
Massachusetts
Zone 7a · Apr 10 – Apr 20
Apr 10
typical
Michigan
Zone 6a · Apr 10 – May 15
Apr 25
typical
Minnesota
Zone 4b · May 5 – May 25
May 10
typical
Mississippi
Zone 8b · Feb 20 – Apr 5
Mar 15
typical
Missouri
Zone 6b · Mar 20 – Apr 25
Apr 20
typical
Montana
Zone 4b · Apr 15 – May 20
May 10
typical
Nebraska
Zone 5b · Apr 20 – May 10
May 5
typical
Nevada
Zone 9b · Jan 25 – May 10
Feb 15
typical
New Hampshire
Zone 5a · Apr 15 – May 15
May 10
typical
New Jersey
Zone 7a · Mar 20 – Apr 15
Apr 10
typical
New Mexico
Zone 7b · Mar 15 – May 10
Apr 5
typical
New York
Zone 6a · Apr 5 – May 15
Apr 25
typical
North Carolina
Zone 8a · Feb 20 – Apr 15
Mar 25
typical
North Dakota
Zone 4a · May 5 – May 20
May 15
typical
Ohio
Zone 6b · Apr 10 – Apr 25
Apr 20
typical
Oklahoma
Zone 7b · Mar 20 – Apr 15
Apr 5
typical
Oregon
Zone 8b · Feb 10 – Apr 25
Mar 15
typical
Pennsylvania
Zone 6b · Mar 20 – May 10
Apr 20
typical
South Carolina
Zone 8b · Feb 10 – Apr 5
Mar 15
typical
South Dakota
Zone 4b · Apr 25 – May 15
May 10
typical
Tennessee
Zone 7b · Mar 20 – Apr 15
Apr 5
typical
Texas
Zone 8b · Jan 15 – Apr 15
Mar 15
typical
Utah
Zone 6a · Mar 15 – May 15
Apr 25
typical
Vermont
Zone 5a · Apr 20 – May 15
May 10
typical
Virginia
Zone 7b · Mar 15 – Apr 20
Apr 5
typical
Washington
Zone 8b · Feb 10 – Apr 25
Mar 15
typical
West Virginia
Zone 7a · Apr 10 – Apr 25
Apr 10
typical
Wisconsin
Zone 5b · Apr 20 – May 20
May 5
typical
Wyoming
Zone 5a · Apr 25 – May 15
May 10
typical
| State | Typical Last Frost | Full State Range | Primary Zone | All Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Mar 25 | Feb 10 – Apr 5 | 8a | 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b |
| Alaska | May 10 | Mar 15 – Jun 15 | 5a | 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a |
| Arizona | Feb 15 | Jan 25 – Apr 25 | 9b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10a |
| Arkansas | Mar 25 | Mar 15 – Apr 10 | 8a | 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a |
| California | Feb 15 | Jan 1 – Apr 25 | 9b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a, 11a |
| Colorado | Apr 25 | Apr 10 – May 15 | 6a | 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a |
| Connecticut | Apr 20 | Apr 5 – Apr 20 | 6b | 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b |
| Delaware | Apr 5 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | 7b | 7b, 7a, 8a |
| District of Columbia | Mar 25 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | 8a | 7b, 7a, 8a |
| Florida | Jan 25 | Jan 1 – Mar 15 | 10a | 8b, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11a, 11b |
| Georgia | Mar 25 | Feb 20 – Apr 10 | 8a | 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a |
| Hawaii | Jan 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | 12b | 10b, 11b, 11a, 12a, 12b, 13a |
| Idaho | Apr 20 | Apr 5 – May 15 | 6b | 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b |
| Illinois | Apr 25 | Apr 10 – May 10 | 6a | 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a |
| Indiana | Apr 25 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | 6a | 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a |
| Iowa | May 10 | Apr 20 – May 10 | 5a | 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a |
| Kansas | Apr 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 20 | 6b | 6a, 6b, 7a |
| Kentucky | Apr 10 | Apr 5 – Apr 20 | 7a | 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b |
| Louisiana | Feb 25 | Jan 25 – Mar 15 | 9a | 8b, 9b, 9a, 10a |
| Maine | May 5 | Apr 10 – May 20 | 5b | 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a |
| Maryland | Apr 5 | Mar 20 – Apr 20 | 7b | 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a |
| Massachusetts | Apr 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 20 | 7a | 6b, 6a, 7a |
| Michigan | Apr 25 | Apr 10 – May 15 | 6a | 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a |
| Minnesota | May 10 | May 5 – May 25 | 4b | 3b, 3a, 4b, 4a, 5a |
| Mississippi | Mar 15 | Feb 20 – Apr 5 | 8b | 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a |
| Missouri | Apr 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 25 | 6b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a |
| Montana | May 10 | Apr 15 – May 20 | 4b | 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b |
| Nebraska | May 5 | Apr 20 – May 10 | 5b | 5b, 5a, 6a |
| Nevada | Feb 15 | Jan 25 – May 10 | 9b | 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a, 10a |
| New Hampshire | May 10 | Apr 15 – May 15 | 5a | 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b |
| New Jersey | Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 15 | 7a | 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a |
| New Mexico | Apr 5 | Mar 15 – May 10 | 7b | 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b |
| New York | Apr 25 | Apr 5 – May 15 | 6a | 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a |
| North Carolina | Mar 25 | Feb 20 – Apr 15 | 8a | 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a |
| North Dakota | May 15 | May 5 – May 20 | 4a | 3b, 4a, 4b |
| Ohio | Apr 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | 6b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a |
| Oklahoma | Apr 5 | Mar 20 – Apr 15 | 7b | 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a |
| Oregon | Mar 15 | Feb 10 – Apr 25 | 8b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b |
| Pennsylvania | Apr 20 | Mar 20 – May 10 | 6b | 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a |
| South Carolina | Mar 15 | Feb 10 – Apr 5 | 8b | 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 25 – May 15 | 4b | 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b |
| Tennessee | Apr 5 | Mar 20 – Apr 15 | 7b | 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a |
| Texas | Mar 15 | Jan 15 – Apr 15 | 8b | 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10a, 10b |
| Utah | Apr 25 | Mar 15 – May 15 | 6a | 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b |
| Vermont | May 10 | Apr 20 – May 15 | 5a | 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a |
| Virginia | Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 20 | 7b | 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b |
| Washington | Mar 15 | Feb 10 – Apr 25 | 8b | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b |
| West Virginia | Apr 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | 7a | 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a |
| Wisconsin | May 5 | Apr 20 – May 20 | 5b | 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a |
| Wyoming | May 10 | Apr 25 – May 15 | 5a | 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a |
Frost Dates by Region
Deep South & Gulf Coast
The warmest growing region in the continental US. Most areas see their last frost between late January and late March, and frost-free zones in South Florida can garden year-round. Gardeners here focus more on summer heat tolerance than cold hardiness.
Southeast & Mid-Atlantic
Last frost runs from mid-March (coastal Carolinas) to late April (higher elevations of West Virginia). This region's biggest variable is elevation — the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains can push frost 3–4 weeks later than the valleys below.
Northeast
Last frost ranges from mid-April (coastal New Jersey suburbs) to late May (northern Maine and Adirondacks). New England gardeners often rely on cold frames and row cover to extend the season at both ends. Zone 7 pockets exist along the coast.
Midwest & Great Plains
Expect last frost between mid-April (southern Missouri, Kansas) and late May (northern Minnesota, North Dakota). The flat terrain means few microclimates — frost dates are remarkably consistent within each zone. Late cold snaps can extend into May even in Zone 6.
South & Southwest
Huge range due to elevation. Southern Texas and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona can be frost-free by late January, while high-elevation areas of New Mexico and Nevada may see frost into May. Altitude matters more than latitude in this region.
Pacific & Mountain West
The Pacific Coast (Seattle, Portland, coastal California) has mild, maritime frosts in February–March. The interior mountain states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado) can see last frost well into May. Hawaii is essentially frost-free. Alaska's frost dates vary wildly — Anchorage averages May 15, but interior locations may frost into June.
How to Use Your Last Frost Date
Enter your ZIP or city in the search above to get your exact last frost date from NOAA climate data.
Tomatoes need 6–8 weeks indoors. If your last frost is April 15, start tomato seeds around February 25–March 4.
The listed date is a 50% probability. For frost-sensitive crops, wait an extra 1–2 weeks before transplanting outdoors.
The date is a historical average. Always check the 10-day forecast before transplanting in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a last frost date? +
The last frost date is the average calendar date of the final 28°F (or below) temperature in spring for a given location. It's a statistical average based on historical NOAA weather data — typically the date when there's a 50% chance that frost won't occur again until fall. Your actual last frost in any given year may be 2–4 weeks earlier or later.
How accurate are average last frost dates? +
They're reliable as a planning baseline but not guarantees. Dates are derived from 30-year NOAA climate normals. In any given year there's roughly a 50% chance frost ends on or before the listed date. For frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers, many experienced gardeners wait until 2 weeks after the average last frost date to transplant outdoors.
What's the difference between a 28°F and 32°F frost date? +
A 32°F frost date is when temperatures first dip to freezing — damaging to tender annuals and some vegetables. A 28°F frost date ("hard frost") is when most cool-season crops and many perennials are killed. Most planting calendar tools, including this one, use 28°F as the threshold because it's more agriculturally significant.
Can I plant before the last frost date? +
Yes, for frost-tolerant crops. Kale, spinach, lettuce, peas, and broccoli can handle light frosts (28–32°F). Carrots and beets can be sown 4–6 weeks before the last frost. However, frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and basil should wait until after the last frost date — or use row cover protection.
Does climate change affect frost dates? +
Yes. USDA updated the Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2023 to reflect that most US zones have shifted roughly half a zone warmer since 1990. Many areas are experiencing last frost dates 1–2 weeks earlier than historical averages. Our dates use current NOAA normals which incorporate recent climate trends.
How do I find the exact last frost date for my ZIP code? +
Use the search tool at the top of this page — enter your ZIP code and select a plant to get a personalized planting calendar with the exact dates for your location.
Get Your Personalized Planting Calendar
The state table above shows averages. Enter your ZIP code for exact planting dates tailored to your specific location and the plants you want to grow.