Old Farmer's Almanac Releases 2026 Last Frost Date Map

The historic publication predicts when spring frost will end across the U.S. to guide early planting plans.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Old Farmer's Almanac has released a 2026 Last Frost Date Map predicting when spring frost will end across the U.S. The map classifies regions as having an earlier-than-normal, near-normal, or later-than-normal last frost date compared to historical averages. The tool aims to help gardeners fine-tune early-season decisions for frost-tolerant crops.

Why it matters

The Almanac's new map provides more situational guidance during an erratic weather year without replacing traditional frost-date benchmarks. It offers insight into this year's conditions, as the weather has become more unpredictable, to help gardeners make informed early planting decisions.

The details

The map categorizes regions in three colors: green for an earlier-than-normal last frost by about one to two weeks, yellow for near the long-term average within roughly a week, and blue for a later-than-normal last frost by about one to two weeks. The publication notes the map is intended to guide early plantings of frost-tolerant, cool-season crops, not warm-season plants that require frost-free nights and consistently warm soil.

  • The Old Farmer's Almanac released the 2026 Last Frost Date Map on February 17, 2026.

The players

The Old Farmer's Almanac

A historic publication that has released a 2026 Last Frost Date Map predicting when spring frost will end across the U.S. to guide early planting plans.

Sarah Perreault

The managing editor of The Old Farmer's Almanac, who previously told Newsweek that the publication is forecasting a warmer than normal spring for most of the U.S. in 2026, with parts of the Pacific Northwest expected to see temperatures closer to or below seasonal averages.

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What they’re saying

“We created this new map because gardeners today want more than averages—they want insight into this year's conditions. The weather has become more erratic, and while the traditional frost dates remain a trusted foundation, we saw an opportunity to provide another layer of guidance.”

— The Old Farmer's Almanac

What’s next

The Old Farmer's Almanac also released its long-range forecast for spring 2026, predicting a warmer than normal spring for most of the U.S. but cooler temperatures in parts of the Pacific Northwest.

The takeaway

The Old Farmer's Almanac's new Last Frost Date Map provides gardeners with an additional tool to help them make informed early planting decisions during an era of more erratic weather patterns, complementing traditional frost date benchmarks.