Wondering whether a crop still has time to mature before fall frost? Pick the crop, enter your ZIP code, and we’ll do the countdown math.
How it’s figured
We count the days from today to your area’s average first fall frost, then compare that with the crop’s days to maturity plus a 14-day buffer for slow germination and cool fall weather. Frost dates are long-term averages from the nearest of 85 reporting cities. Your ZIP is matched to the closest one, and we show the distance so you know how far that stretch is. Averages are not guarantees: a cold snap can arrive early or late, and hills, valleys, lakes, and city heat all shift real frost dates. ZIP locations come from the US Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer. Crop timing ranges are typical values compiled from published Extension and almanac growing references; varieties differ. Your seed packet and local Extension office know your varieties and microclimate best.