When to plant in Pittsburgh, PA
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — all computed from Pittsburgh's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6b means Pittsburgh sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP · 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 Pittsburgh’s own odds, recorded at PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | Apr 29 | Apr 16 | Oct 4 | Oct 17 | Oct 29 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 18 | Apr 2 | Oct 14 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 23 | Oct 28 | Nov 8 | Nov 22 |
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 Pittsburgh, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
Pittsburgh planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Pittsburgh around April 18 (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 Pittsburgh, PA?
Expect Pittsburgh's first fall frost near October 28 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Pittsburgh in?
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?
There are roughly 193 frost-free days in Pittsburgh (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 18 to the first fall frost near October 28.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pittsburgh?
In Pittsburgh, start tomato seeds indoors around February 21–March 7, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 25 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Pittsburgh
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pittsburgh’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Baldwin · 7 km
- Munhall · 8 km
- Wilkinsburg · 9 km
- Whitehall · 9 km
- West Mifflin · 11 km
- Bethel Park · 14 km
- Allison Park · 15 km
- McKeesport · 16 km
Frost dates recorded at PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, 11 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 Pittsburgh, PA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014762. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/pennsylvania/pittsburgh.