When to plant in Altoona, PA
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Altoona, Pennsylvania — all computed from Altoona's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Altoona sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Altoona is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
ALTOONA 3 W · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Altoona’s own odds, recorded at ALTOONA 3 W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 26 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 25 | Apr 10 | Oct 5 | Oct 21 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 19 | Nov 3 | Nov 17 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Altoona, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Altoona planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Altoona, PA?
On average, the last spring frost in Altoona is around April 25 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Altoona, PA?
The first fall frost in Altoona typically arrives around October 21 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Altoona in?
Altoona is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Altoona?
There are roughly 179 frost-free days in Altoona (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Altoona?
In Altoona, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Altoona
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Altoona’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Johnstown · 48 km
- State College · 56 km
- Indiana · 65 km
- Chambersburg · 90 km
- Greensburg · 99 km
- Cumberland · 100 km
- St. Marys · 106 km
- Murrysville · 107 km
Frost dates recorded at ALTOONA 3 W, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Altoona, PA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00360140. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/pennsylvania/altoona.