When to plant in Wilkes-Barre, PA
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Wilkes-Barre's nearest full-normals station sits about 16 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Wilkes-Barre, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Wilkes-Barre is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
WILKES-BARRE INTL 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 Wilkes-Barre’s own odds, recorded at WILKES-BARRE INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 25 | Oct 7 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 10 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 4 | Oct 20 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 26 | Apr 10 | Mar 30 | Oct 16 | Nov 3 | Nov 19 |
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 Wilkes-Barre, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 39 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.
Wilkes-Barre planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
On average, the last spring frost in Wilkes-Barre is around April 23 (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 Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Expect Wilkes-Barre's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Wilkes-Barre in?
Wilkes-Barre is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Wilkes-Barre?
There are roughly 180 frost-free days in Wilkes-Barre (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Wilkes-Barre?
In Wilkes-Barre, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Wilkes-Barre
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Wilkes-Barre’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Kingston · 2 km
- Nanticoke · 12 km
- Mountain Top · 13 km
- Scranton · 25 km
- Dunmore · 29 km
- Hazleton · 34 km
- Berwick · 38 km
- Bloomsburg · 56 km
Frost dates recorded at WILKES-BARRE INTL AP, 16 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014777. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/pennsylvania/wilkes-barre.