Spring Comes Early: How the 2026 Frost Shift Is Delivering an Instant Curb Appeal Bonus for Many Homeowners

While it was foretold that six more weeks of winter would plague homeowners this year, it turns out that a good chunk of the country is about to spring into spring a bit early. 

Like New York City, which is enjoying 70-degree weather in March, many metros will see the last spring frost disappear about one to two weeks earlier than average in 2026, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

While that might not seem like much, a few days can really matter, especially if part of your curb appeal is your landscaping and garden elements.

Those few weeks can help gardeners to get a jump on the season and give them an edge when it comes time to sell during the peak spring selling season. 

Early frost is on the way out

As you can see from the Old Farmer’s Almanac map, there’s a good mix of timing across the country when it comes to the last frost dates. 

Across the Atlantic Corridor—including New York City, Philadelphia, and much of New Jersey—the last spring frost is expected to occur one to two weeks earlier than the typical early-April average. The same goes for Boston and much of New England, which will see the last spring frost melt away early, allowing for a head start for the growing season

Still, homeowners should keep frost protection on hand in case of a surprise late-season cold snap.

​​The Carolinas and Eastern Georgia homeowners and gardeners should keep protective covers ready for any sudden, lingering cold snaps typical of the Southeast, despite an earlier spring, but the farther south you live, the longer the colder temperatures will stick around. 

For example, Central Florida near Orlando is expected to see its last spring frost roughly a week or two later than usual, necessitating delayed early plantings and extra protection for newly planted landscaping features. However, the northern regions and the southern tip of the state will remain near the historical average, with frost timing staying within about a week of its normal schedule.

Moving west, the Ohio Valley is split this season, with Kentucky and much of Indiana seeing an early arrival of the last spring frost—roughly one to two weeks ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, parts of Ohio and West Virginia homeowners should expect frost timing to remain close to the historical average within a one-week margin.

Across the Upper Midwest, frost timing is expected to stay close to the historical average, remaining within a one-week window of the usual date. However, those at the northern tips of the region should prepare for a later-than-normal last frost.

In Northern Montana, the last spring frost is expected roughly a week or two later than usual, meaning soils and nights may stay cooler longer into the season. The same can be said for Seattle, Portland, OR, and the surrounding coastal zones, but in many low-elevation regions of California and the desert Southwest, the last spring frost is expected to arrive one to two weeks earlier than the historical average.

The best time to start landscaping if you’re selling your home 

No matter where you live, if you’re planning to sell your home this spring, making sure your landscaping is tidy is essential.

And you can get a lot done even before temperatures warm up in earnest.

Start by working in the yard, removing branches and stray stones before using your lawn mower with a catch bag to make short work of dead leaves and twigs. 

If you’re looking for some show-stopping blooms to liven up your garden this year, there are a handful of perfect trees, shrubs, and blooms you should plant in March if you want them to thrive by May. 

And if you’re lucky enough to have roses, prune just before dormancy breaks and after the final frost (around mid-March) for full, beautiful blooms, according to most experts. Bag and trash any diseased buds to prevent the spread of fungus and infestations.