USDA zone 6b in Pennsylvania
USDA plant hardiness zone 6b covers 62 locations across Pennsylvania (average annual extreme minimum −5 to 0 °F): Allentown, PA, Altoona, PA, Arlington Heights, PA, Bally, PA, Big Beaver, PA, Boalsburg, PA, and 56 more. Average last spring frost across this group ranges April 14 (Rouzerville) to May 17 (Vintondale), and growing seasons run 136–199 days (Vintondale to Russellton) — even within one state, because hardiness sets winter survival, not planting dates. The table below gives every Pennsylvania location's own frost dates; the printable planting calendar uses Hazleton, this group's median-season location.
- USDA zone
- 6b−5 to 0 °F
- Last frost range
- Apr 14–May 17avg, 32°F
- First frost range
- Oct 1–Nov 4avg, 32°F
- Growing season range
- 136–199days
Locations in this group
Every location below shares this zone and a nearby weather station, but keeps its own frost dates — find your town for its own numbers, or use the ZIP planner on the home page for an instant personalized answer.
| Location | Also covers | Nearest station | Last frost | First frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | Effort, Schnecksville, Cherryville, Palmerton, Laurys Station, Mertztown, +4 more | Allentown Intl Ap | Apr 20 | Oct 24 | 184 |
| Altoona | Tipton, Foot of Ten, Bellwood, East Altoona, Linds Crossing, Ashville | Altoona 3 W | Apr 25 | Oct 21 | 176 |
| Arlington Heights | Effort, Brodheadsville, Saw Creek, East Stroudsburg, Pine Ridge, Penn Estates, +2 more | E Stroudsburg | May 1 | Oct 12 | 163 |
| Bally | — | Sellersville | Apr 26 | Oct 17 | 175 |
| Big Beaver | New Beaver, West Pittsburg, Wampum, Ellport | New Castle 1 N | Apr 30 | Oct 23 | 175 |
| Boalsburg | State College, Ramblewood, Pine Grove Mills, Park Forest, Bellefonte, Lemont, +6 more | State College | Apr 20 | Oct 26 | 187 |
| Callimont | Wellersburg, Midlothian, Midland, Barrelville | Frostburg 2 | Apr 29 | Oct 18 | 171 |
| Calumet | Youngwood, Norvelt, Mount Pleasant, Hostetter | Mt Pleasant | May 1 | Oct 13 | 164 |
| Centerville | California, Deemston, New Stanton, Bentleyville, Monessen, Beallsville, +26 more | Donora 1 Sw | Apr 27 | Oct 22 | 177 |
| Distant | Templeton | Putneyville 2 Se Dam | May 10 | Oct 12 | 155 |
| Dorseyville | Russellton, Harwick | Acmetonia Lock 3 | Apr 16 | Nov 1 | 197 |
| Earlston | Hustontown, Valley-Hi, Rainsburg, Wells Tannery, Hopewell | Everett | Apr 27 | Oct 17 | 170 |
| Eighty Four | McMurray, Washington, Hickory, Cecil-Bishop, Canonsburg, McGovern, +7 more | Washington 3 Ne | Apr 24 | Oct 23 | 181 |
| Elysburg | Lavelle, Kulpmont, Gordon, Aristes, Slabtown, Atlas, +5 more | Bear Gap | Apr 27 | Oct 20 | 172 |
| Erie | Northwest Harborcreek, Fairview, Platea, Penn State Erie (Behrend), McKean | Erie Intl Ap | Apr 26 | Nov 4 | 192 |
| Hartleton | Laurelton | Laurelton Ctr | Apr 25 | Oct 19 | 175 |
| Hazleton * | Tresckow, West Hazleton, Shenandoah, Gilberton, Conyngham, Nescopeck, +14 more | Mahanoy City 2 N | Apr 30 | Oct 22 | 175 |
| Homeacre-Lyndora | Gibsonia, Bakerstown, Zelienople, Bairdford, Connoquenessing, Freeport, +8 more | Butler 2 Sw | May 7 | Oct 14 | 159 |
| Huntingdon | Atkinson Mills, Cassville, Alexandria | Raystown Lake 2 | Apr 19 | Oct 28 | 191 |
| Hyndman | — | Cumberland 2 | Apr 15 | Oct 24 | 190 |
| Hyndman | Manns Choice, Schellsburg, New Paris | Shawnee Sp | May 4 | Oct 10 | 158 |
| Jacksonville | Black Lick, Atwood, Indiana, Blairsville, Heilwood, Lucerne Mines, +6 more | Indiana 3 Se | May 8 | Oct 13 | 157 |
| Jacksonville | Natrona Heights, Spring Church, Schenley, West Leechburg, East Brady, Lenape Heights, +7 more | Ford City 4 S Dam | May 4 | Oct 16 | 164 |
| Johnstown | Vinco, Beaverdale, Oakland, Geistown, Dunlo, Parkhill, +4 more | Johnstown Cambria Co Ap | Apr 29 | Oct 21 | 176 |
| Marklesburg | Broad Top, Saxton, Fredericksburg, Dudley, Robertsdale, Defiance, +10 more | Altoona Blair Co Ap | Apr 23 | Oct 21 | 177 |
| Masontown | Ronco, Point Marion, Mapletown, Greensboro | Grays Landing | Apr 28 | Oct 21 | 175 |
| McClure | Belleville, Allensville, McAlisterville, Millerstown, Ickesburg, Thompsontown, +2 more | Lewistown | Apr 21 | Oct 24 | 185 |
| McElhattan | Mackeyville, Lamar, Tylersville, Woolrich, Loganton, Eagleville, +3 more | Lock Haven Sewage Plt | Apr 30 | Oct 20 | 173 |
| McSherrystown | — | Hanover 4 Sw | Apr 24 | Oct 20 | 177 |
| Mertztown | Maxatawny | Rodale Rsch Ctr | Apr 26 | Oct 14 | 171 |
| Mingoville | Millheim, Spring Mills, Woodward, Coburn, Madisonburg | Millheim | May 5 | Oct 6 | 153 |
| Monroeville | White Oak, McKeesport, Level Green, Churchill, Manor, Duquesne, +21 more | Mckeesport | May 2 | Oct 20 | 170 |
| Montoursville | Dewart, Picture Rocks, Hughesville, Montgomery, Turbotville, McEwensville | Williamsport | Apr 24 | Oct 23 | 180 |
| Mount Morris | Marianna, Fairdale, Crucible, Mather, Waynesburg, Millsboro, +4 more | Waynesburg 1 E | May 3 | Oct 15 | 164 |
| Mount Pocono | Sun Valley, Mountainhome | Mt Pocono Mountains Ap | May 6 | Oct 8 | 154 |
| Murrysville | Plum, Lower Burrell, Jacksonville, Greensburg, Orchard Hills, Jeannette, +15 more | Salina 3 W | Apr 29 | Oct 20 | 171 |
| Nesquehoning | Summit Hill, Weatherly, Weissport East, Parryville, Lansford, Bowmanstown, +1 more | Lehighton 1ssw | Apr 21 | Oct 23 | 184 |
| New Columbus | Mifflinville, Rohrsburg, Foundryville, Shickshinny | Benton 3 Ne | May 4 | Oct 11 | 159 |
| Newburg | Orrstown | Shippensburg | Apr 19 | Oct 24 | 188 |
| Newry | — | Altoona 7 Sw | Apr 25 | Oct 20 | 177 |
| Ohioville | Economy, Industry, Aliquippa, Shippingport, Glenmoor, Conway, +8 more | Montgomery L&d | Apr 28 | Oct 26 | 178 |
| Oliver | Connellsville, Leith-Hatfield, Smock, Grindstone, Rowes Run, Fairchance, +12 more | Uniontown 1 Ne | Apr 30 | Oct 18 | 171 |
| Orviston | Monument | Renovo | Apr 30 | Oct 22 | 173 |
| Oval | Salladasburg, Allenwood, Duboistown | Williamsport 2 | Apr 25 | Oct 24 | 181 |
| Pardeesville | Jeddo | Francis E Walter Dam | May 7 | Oct 6 | 153 |
| Picture Rocks | Iola | Laporte | May 6 | Oct 7 | 154 |
| Pittsburgh | Jefferson Hills, West Mifflin, Bethel Park, Fox Chapel, Whitehall, Glenshaw, +12 more | Pittsburgh Allegheny Co Ap | Apr 18 | Oct 28 | 193 |
| Pittsburgh | Allison Park, West View, Avalon | Emsworth L/d Ohio Rvr | Apr 24 | Oct 27 | 186 |
| Plumsteadville | Milford, Riegelsville, Richlandtown | Bucksville | Apr 29 | Oct 16 | 170 |
| Riverside | Milton, New Columbia, Mifflinburg, Northumberland, Danville, Lightstreet, +8 more | Lewisburg | Apr 26 | Oct 20 | 176 |
| Rouzerville | — | Catoctin Mtn Park | Apr 14 | Oct 30 | 197 |
| Russellton | — | Natrona Lock 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 2 | 199 |
| Scranton | Mountain Top, Dunmore, Moosic, Dickson, Exeter, Blakely, +12 more | Wilkes-barre Intl Ap | Apr 23 | Oct 20 | 178 |
| Sewickley Heights | Carnot-Moon, Imperial, Cecil-Bishop, Bulger, Sturgeon, Bridgeville, +15 more | Pittsburgh Intl Ap | Apr 23 | Oct 23 | 181 |
| Spring Grove | New Salem | York Ap | Apr 27 | Oct 18 | 174 |
| Sunbury | Shamokin Dam, Selinsgrove, Kratzerville, Middleburg, Penns Creek, Tharptown (Uniontown) | Selinsgrove Penn Vly Ap | Apr 27 | Oct 16 | 172 |
| Tamaqua | Kutztown, New Philadelphia, St. Clair, Kempton, New Ringgold, Port Carbon, +9 more | Hamburg | Apr 16 | Oct 25 | 189 |
| Tremont | Jonestown, Muir | Lebanon 2 W | Apr 20 | Oct 25 | 185 |
| Trevorton | Valley View, Port Trevorton, Gratz, Hegins, Mount Pleasant Mills, Beaver Springs, +12 more | Selinsgrove 2 S | Apr 25 | Oct 22 | 178 |
| Tyrone | — | Philipsburg 2 S | May 13 | Oct 1 | 142 |
| Vintondale | — | Ebensburg Sewage Plt | May 17 | Oct 2 | 136 |
| Wiconsico | Berrysburg, Elizabethville, Williamstown | Dehart Dam | May 1 | Oct 16 | 168 |
* Hazleton is this group's median-season location — the calendar below is computed from its data.
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.
Planting calendar (Hazleton, representative)
Computed from Hazleton's average frost dates — the median-season location in this Pennsylvaniazone 6b group. hatched = start seeds indoors, solid green = plant out, teal = a fall sowing, and the terracotta dot marks the estimated first harvest. Ranges are extension-guide planning guidance, not guarantees — your own location's dates may run a week or two earlier or later (see the table above).
- Start indoors
- Plant out
- Fall sowing
- First harvest
| Crop | Frost tolerance | Start indoors | Plant out | First harvest | Fall planting | Season fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Tender | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | Jul 6 – Jul 26 | — | matures comfortably |
| Pepper | Very tender | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 21 | Jul 13 – Aug 12 | — | matures comfortably |
| Cucumber | Tender | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 26 – Jul 16 | — | matures comfortably |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Tender | — | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 21 – Jul 6 | — | matures comfortably |
| Bush bean | Tender | — | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 26 – Jul 6 | Aug 23 – Sep 2 | matures comfortably |
| Sweet corn | Tender | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jun 29 – Jul 29 | — | matures comfortably |
| Basil | Very tender | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 6 – Jun 21 | — | matures comfortably |
| Lettuce | Half-hardy | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 17 – Jun 1 | Aug 9 – Aug 24 | matures comfortably |
| Pea | Hardy | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 13 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 14 | matures comfortably |
| Spinach | Hardy | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 28 – May 8 | Aug 19 – Aug 29 | matures comfortably |
| Carrot | Half-hardy | — | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Jun 8 – Jun 28 | Jul 20 – Aug 9 | matures comfortably |
| Broccoli | Half-hardy | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 27 – Jun 16 | Jul 25 – Aug 14 | matures comfortably |
Which crops fit this growing season
Using Hazleton's own 175-day growing season (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020 median) against each crop's real days-to-maturity range: 12 of 12 crops mature here with comfortable margin. A different location in the table above with a longer or shorter season will get a different mix — the ZIP planner on the home page gives your own.
Frost & freeze dates (Hazleton)
From NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals at station USC00365344. The median (p50) is the average date; the 90%-safe column is the date the freeze has passed in about 9 years out of 10 — the conservative date to plant after or harvest before.
| Threshold | Last spring — avg | Last spring — 90%-safe | First fall — avg | First fall — 90%-safe | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 11 | May 26 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 | 151 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 30 | May 18 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 | 175 |
| 28°F | Apr 16 | May 6 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 | 199 |
| 24°F | Apr 3 | Apr 18 | Nov 12 | Nov 25 | 222 |
Growing degree days
Growing degree days (GDD) accumulate warmth above a base temperature over the year — a better predictor of crop development than the calendar alone. This group's median GDD (base 50°F) across all 62 locations is 3,004; Hazleton's own reading is shown below.
| Model | °F·days | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Base 50°F (warm-season) | 2,499 | standard warm-season base (tomato, corn, beans) |
| Base 40°F (cool-season) | 4,561 | cool-season crops (brassicas, greens) |
Hardiness zone 6b in Pennsylvania
Zone 6b means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of about −5 to 0 °F on the USDA's 2023 map — the number that tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees reliably survive an average winter here. It does not set your planting dates, which come from the frost calendar above. Pennsylvania spans 7 hardiness zones in this dataset — see all Pennsylvania locations for the full range, including zones5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a.
Explore zone 6b in other states at zone 6b, or see all USDA hardiness zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What does USDA hardiness zone 6b mean in Pennsylvania?
- Zone 6b means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of −5 to 0 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive winter. 62 locations in Pennsylvania fall in this zone. It does not set planting dates; see the frost calendar below for that.
- Where in Pennsylvania's zone 6b is the growing season longest?
- Russellton runs the longest season on this page at about 199 days; Vintondale is shortest at about 136 days — they share the same hardiness zone, but they sit at different weather stations, so their frost calendars differ.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania's zone 6b?
- Using Hazleton's frost dates (this page's median-season location): start seeds indoors about Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outside about May 7 – May 14. Your own location in the table above may differ by a week or two — use the ZIP planner on the home page for your exact station's dates.
- Does every location in Pennsylvania's zone 6b have the same frost dates?
- No — they do not all share a weather station, so frost dates vary by a week or more across the 62 locations listed (see the table above for each location's own dates).
Sources & method
Frost, freeze, growing-season, and growing-degree-day figures are NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, one reading per location's own nearest station (see the table above). The hardiness zone is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP. Planting windows are computed by counting from the average last and first frost using per-crop offsets synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides — the full method and citations are on the methodology page.