Philadelphia, PA planting zone & frost dates
Philadelphia is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 30 and the first fall frost around November 17, for a growing season of about 232 days.
Planting calendar for Philadelphia
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 30) 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 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 22 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 17).
Useful for zone 7b 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 | Mar 15 | Mar 30 | Apr 12 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 4 | Nov 17 | Nov 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 12, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 17.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Philadelphia
- 19019 zone 7b
- 19092 zone 7b
- 19093 zone 7b
- 19099 zone 7b
- 19101 zone 7b
- 19102 zone 7b
- 19103 zone 7b
- 19104 zone 7b
- 19105 zone 7b
- 19106 zone 7b
- 19107 zone 7b
- 19108 zone 7b
- 19109 zone 7b
- 19110 zone 7b
- 19111 zone 7b
- 19112 zone 7b
- 19113 zone 7b
- 19114 zone 7b
- 19115 zone 7b
- 19116 zone 7b
- 19118 zone 7b
- 19119 zone 7b
- 19120 zone 7b
- 19121 zone 7b
- 19122 zone 7b
- 19123 zone 7b
- 19124 zone 7b
- 19125 zone 7b
- 19126 zone 7b
- 19127 zone 7b
- 19128 zone 7b
- 19129 zone 7b
- 19130 zone 7b
- 19131 zone 7b
- 19132 zone 7b
- 19133 zone 7b
- 19134 zone 7b
- 19135 zone 7b
- 19136 zone 7b
- 19137 zone 7b
- 19138 zone 7b
- 19139 zone 7b
- 19140 zone 7b
- 19141 zone 7b
- 19142 zone 7b
- 19143 zone 7b
- 19144 zone 7b
- 19145 zone 7b
- 19146 zone 7b
- 19147 zone 7b
- 19148 zone 7b
- 19149 zone 7b
- 19150 zone 7b
- 19151 zone 7b
- 19152 zone 7b
- 19153 zone 7b
- 19154 zone 7b
- 19155 zone 7b
- 19160 zone 7b
- 19161 zone 7b
- 19162 zone 7b
- 19170 zone 7b
- 19171 zone 7b
- 19172 zone 7b
- 19173 zone 7b
- 19175 zone 7b
- 19176 zone 7b
- 19177 zone 7b
- 19178 zone 7b
- 19179 zone 7b
- 19181 zone 7b
- 19182 zone 7b
- 19183 zone 7b
- 19184 zone 7b
- 19185 zone 7b
- 19187 zone 7b
- 19188 zone 7b
- 19190 zone 7b
- 19191 zone 7b
- 19192 zone 7b
- 19193 zone 7b
- 19194 zone 7b
- 19195 zone 7b
- 19196 zone 7b
- 19197 zone 7b
- 19244 zone 7b
- 19255 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Yeadon zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Darby zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Lansdowne zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Drexel Hill zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Ardmore zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Havertown zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Springfield zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
- Abington zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Philadelphia?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Philadelphia is March 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 12.
When can I plant tomatoes in Philadelphia?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 6 – Apr 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Phila Franklin Inst, PA (USC00366886), 1.0 km (0.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 18 m, based on 25 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.