Scranton, PA planting zone & frost dates
Scranton is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 23 and the first fall frost around October 20, for a growing season of about 178 days.
Planting calendar for Scranton
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 23) 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 26 – Mar 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 20).
Useful for zone 6b 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
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | May 10 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 4 | Oct 20 | Oct 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 10.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Scranton
- 18501 zone 6b
- 18502 zone 6b
- 18503 zone 6b
- 18504 zone 6b
- 18505 zone 6b
- 18508 zone 6b
- 18509 zone 6b
- 18510 zone 6b
- 18512 zone 6b
- 18515 zone 6b
- 18519 zone 6b
- 18540 zone 6b
- 18577 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Dunmore zone 6b, last frost Apr 23
- Wilkes-Barre zone 7a, last frost Apr 23
- Kingston zone 6b, last frost Apr 23
- Mountain Top zone 6b, last frost May 7
- Back Mountain zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
- Nanticoke zone 6b, last frost May 7
- Hazleton zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- East Stroudsburg zone 6b, last frost May 1
Questions
What growing zone is Scranton, PA?
Scranton is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Scranton?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Scranton is April 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Scranton?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 30 – May 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap, PA (USW00014777), 9.9 km (6.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 284 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.