Philadelphia Frost Dates
Philadelphia, PA · USDA Zone 7b
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Philadelphia International Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00013739).
Philadelphia is in USDA Zone 7b. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~April) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~November).
Philadelphia planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia average first frost is around November 10, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Oct 20 | Nov 17 |
| Cilantro | Sep 26 | Nov 10 |
| Kale | Sep 25 | Nov 24 |
| Beets | Sep 23 | Nov 17 |
| Lettuce | Sep 21 | Nov 10 |
| Carrots | Sep 15 | Nov 24 |
| Broccoli | Sep 13 | Nov 17 |
| Peas | Sep 11 | Nov 10 |
| Zucchini | Aug 19 | Oct 13 |
| Beans (bush) | Aug 19 | Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 14 | Oct 13 |
| Potatoes | Aug 8 | Nov 6 |
| Tomatoes | Jul 30 | Oct 13 |
| Peppers | Jul 25 | Oct 13 |
| Eggplant | Jul 20 | Oct 13 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Philadelphia: garlic ( Nov 10 to Dec 8) , onions ( Sep 29 to Oct 20) , spinach ( Sep 29 to Oct 13) , parsley ( Sep 29 to Oct 13) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Philadelphia's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Philadelphia.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Philadelphia.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Philadelphia season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Philadelphia.
- Winter sowing guide
Winter sowing dates for Philadelphia.
More frost dates
Also in Zone 7b: New York, NY . Other cities: Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Denver, CO , Seattle, WA , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Philadelphia?
On average, around April.
What planting zone is Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia is in USDA hardiness Zone 7b.
When is the first frost in Philadelphia?
On average, around November 10. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Philadelphia?
radishes (sow by Oct 20), cilantro (sow by Sep 26), kale (sow by Sep 25), beets (sow by Sep 23), lettuce (sow by Sep 21), carrots (sow by Sep 15). Each date is counted back from the Philadelphia first frost around November 10.