When to plant in Philadelphia, PA
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — all computed from Philadelphia's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7b, Philadelphia supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
PHILA FRANKLIN INST · 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 Philadelphia’s own odds, recorded at PHILA FRANKLIN INST.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Mar 27 | Oct 23 | Nov 5 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F | Apr 12 | Mar 30 | Mar 15 | Nov 4 | Nov 17 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F | Mar 31 | Mar 17 | Mar 1 | Nov 12 | Nov 29 | Dec 18 |
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 Philadelphia, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 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.
Philadelphia planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Philadelphia, PA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Philadelphia around March 30 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Philadelphia, PA?
In Philadelphia, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 17 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Philadelphia in?
Philadelphia is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has about 232 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 30) and first fall frost (November 17).
When should I plant tomatoes in Philadelphia?
For Philadelphia, sow tomatoes indoors about February 2–February 16 and move the seedlings out around April 6, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Philadelphia
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Philadelphia’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bala Cynwyd · 8 km
- Camden · 8 km
- Collingswood · 11 km
- Cherry Hill Mall · 13 km
- Westmont · 13 km
- Gloucester City · 13 km
- Yeadon · 13 km
- Roslyn · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at PHILA FRANKLIN INST, 7 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 Philadelphia, PA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00366886. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia.