Lebanon, PA planting zone & frost dates
Lebanon is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 20 and the first fall frost around October 25, for a growing season of about 185 days.
Planting calendar for Lebanon
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 20) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 25).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 5 | Apr 20 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 6 | Oct 25 | Oct 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lebanon
- 17042 zone 7a
- 17046 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Hershey zone 7a, last frost Apr 9
- Elizabethtown zone 7a, last frost Apr 9
- Ephrata zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Lancaster zone 7a, last frost Apr 19
- Columbia zone 7a, last frost Apr 30
- Colonial Park zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
- Pottsville zone 6b, last frost Apr 16
- Wyomissing zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
Questions
What growing zone is Lebanon, PA?
Lebanon is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Lebanon?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lebanon is April 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lebanon?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 27 – May 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lebanon 2 W, PA (USC00364896), 4.8 km (3.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 137 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.