When to plant in Washington, PA
USDA Zone 6bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Washington, Pennsylvania — all computed from Washington's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6b, Washington gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Washington is now 13 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
WASHINGTON 3 NE · 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 Washington’s own odds, recorded at WASHINGTON 3 NE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 6 | Apr 19 | Sep 29 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | May 18 | Apr 24 | Apr 8 | Oct 8 | Oct 23 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | May 4 | Apr 11 | Mar 29 | Oct 19 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
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 Washington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 31 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.
Washington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Washington, PA?
On average, the last spring frost in Washington is around April 24 (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 Washington, PA?
Expect Washington's first fall frost near October 23 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Washington in?
Washington 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 Washington?
Washington has about 182 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 24) and first fall frost (October 23).
When should I plant tomatoes in Washington?
For Washington, sow tomatoes indoors about February 27–March 13 and move the seedlings out around May 1, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Washington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Washington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bethel Park · 24 km
- Jefferson Hills · 29 km
- Whitehall · 30 km
- Baldwin · 34 km
- West Mifflin · 35 km
- Weirton · 37 km
- Pittsburgh · 37 km
- Munhall · 38 km
Frost dates recorded at WASHINGTON 3 NE, 5 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 Washington, PA — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00369318. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/pennsylvania/washington.