USDA hardiness zone 7a

Average annual extreme minimum temperature: 0 to 5 °F

USDA plant hardiness zone 7a covers areas whose average annual extreme minimum winter temperature is 0 to 5 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive an average winter. Hardiness zone sets winter survival, but planting DATES depend on your local frost calendar, which varies within a zone. 809 locations on this site fall in zone 7a (Adamstown, PA, Adrian, TX, Advance, MO, Alderson, WV, Allison, TX, Altamont, KS, Alton, MO, Alum Creek, WV, and 801 more); open one to see its frost dates, growing-season length, and a printable per-crop planting calendar.

Locations in zone 7a — 60 of 809

Same zone, different frost calendars — open one for its full planner. A spread across the zone is shown; browse a state for its full list.
Location Last frost First frost Season (days)
Adamstown, PA Apr 26 Oct 19 176
Anna, IL Apr 8 Oct 29 203
Avon Lake, OH Apr 22 Nov 1 192
Bella Vista, AR Apr 5 Oct 28 204
Billings, OK Apr 15 Oct 26 194
Boonville, IN Apr 12 Oct 25 196
Brookneal, VA Apr 15 Oct 24 191
Cairo, IL Apr 2 Oct 31 211
Carlisle, PA Apr 23 Oct 18 177
Chambersburg, PA Apr 18 Oct 25 188
Chesterfield, MO Apr 4 Oct 29 206
Clovis, NM Apr 20 Oct 24 184
Conchas Dam, NM Apr 4 Nov 2 210
Creston, WA Jun 1 Sep 22 112
Dayton, NV May 12 Oct 17 155
Dryden, VA Apr 20 Oct 23 186
Egg Harbor, NJ Apr 18 Oct 29 190
Erda, UT May 2 Oct 16 165
Falmouth, MA May 7 Oct 9 156
Fort Sumner, NM Apr 9 Oct 30 201
Gainesboro, TN Apr 20 Oct 22 183
Goldendale, WA May 19 Sep 25 126
Greenville, MO Apr 2 Nov 2 215
Hardinsburg, KY Apr 17 Oct 23 187
Hazard, KY Apr 6 Nov 1 208
Hillsborough, NJ Apr 16 Oct 27 192
Horsham, PA Apr 4 Nov 7 216
Isabella, OK Apr 7 Nov 2 208
Kansas, MO Apr 4 Nov 2 211
Kissee Mills, MO Apr 6 Oct 31 205
Lake Santeetlah, NC Apr 17 Oct 27 193
Leupp, AZ Apr 14 Oct 25 192
Louisa, VA Apr 26 Oct 20 175
Manchester, KY Apr 29 Oct 16 170
Mayhill, NM May 7 Oct 11 155
Meyers, CA Jun 4 Oct 3 120
Modena, UT May 20 Oct 3 136
Mount Vernon, IN Apr 7 Oct 28 202
Neosho, MO Apr 7 Oct 31 206
New Plymouth, ID Apr 19 Oct 20 183
Okanogan, WA Apr 30 Oct 7 160
Osage Beach, MO Mar 31 Nov 3 216
Pendleton, OR Apr 22 Oct 9 170
Pittsburgh, PA Apr 24 Oct 27 186
Princeton, WV Apr 21 Oct 22 182
Red Lake, AZ May 22 Oct 5 135
Rocky Point, OR Jun 8 Sep 24 108
Salt Lake, UT Apr 24 Oct 19 178
Scottsville, VA Apr 23 Oct 21 180
Sicklerville, NJ Apr 28 Oct 15 169
Spanish Valley, UT Apr 11 Oct 23 192
Springdale, WA Jun 6 Sep 11 94
Stinnett, TX Apr 20 Oct 25 187
Swannanoa, NC Apr 22 Oct 24 184
Towaoc, CO May 27 Sep 28 125
Vaughn, NM Apr 18 Oct 26 188
Washington, DC Mar 29 Nov 8 224
West Point, NY Apr 10 Nov 1 204
Whittier, AK May 20 Oct 9 142
Wintergreen, VA May 2 Oct 13 162

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.

What zone 7a means for your garden

A plant rated "hardy to zone 7a" can be expected to survive a winter whose coldest night lands in the 0 to 5 °F range — the metric the USDA map is built on. That governs perennials, shrubs, and trees. For annual vegetables, what matters is the frost calendar: the dates of the average last spring and first fall freeze, which set when it is safe to plant and how long the season runs. Those come from the individual location pages above.

Zones are from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP — see the methodology page. Browse all hardiness zones or crop-by-crop timing.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature range is USDA zone 7a?
Zone 7a covers areas whose average annual extreme minimum winter temperature is 0 to 5 °F. Each numbered zone is a 10°F band; the "a" and "b" half-zones split it into 5°F steps.
Does zone 7a tell me when to plant?
No — the hardiness zone tells you which perennials survive winter, not when to sow annual vegetables. Planting dates depend on your local last and first frost, which can vary within a single zone. Open one of the sample locations in zone 7a to see its frost calendar and per-crop planting windows.
What can I grow in zone 7a?
Almost any common vegetable can be grown in zone 7a; what changes with zone and local climate is the timing and the length of the season. Cold-hardy crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) go out earliest, tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the last frost. Use each location's calendar for exact dates.