When is the first frost in Zone 3?

Zone 3's average first fall frost falls around ~Sep 20. It is an average, not a guarantee — a cold snap can arrive one to two weeks early, so treat the countdown as a planning tool and watch your local forecast once you are inside three weeks.

Which vegetables actually taste better after a frost?

Kale, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, leeks and cabbage all sweeten after a frost, because cold converts their stored starches into sugars.

Zone 3 · Zone 3

First frost countdown

Around ~Sep 20

Zone 3's average first fall frost lands around ~Sep 20. That is a long-run average — a hard night can arrive a week or two early, so once you are inside three weeks, start watching the local forecast rather than the calendar.

Harvest these before the frost

These crops are still being picked in September in Zone 3, and a hard freeze ends them. Bring in what is ready and cover anything you want to push another week or two.

BeansPick now
Harvested July, August
CantaloupePick now
Harvested September
CucumbersPick now
Harvested July, September
PeppersPick now
Harvested August, September
PumpkinsPick now
Harvested September
TomatoesPick now
Harvested August, September
Winter SquashPick now
Harvested September
Zucchini & Summer SquashPick now
Harvested July, September

Common questions

When is the first frost in Zone 3?: Zone 3's average first fall frost falls around ~Sep 20. It is an average, not a guarantee — a cold snap can arrive one to two weeks early, so treat the countdown as a planning tool and watch your local forecast once you are inside three weeks.
Which vegetables actually taste better after a frost?: Kale, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, leeks and cabbage all sweeten after a frost, because cold converts their stored starches into sugars.

Other zones: Zone 1 · Zone 2 · Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10 · Zone 11 · Zone 12 · Zone 13