Author: Jagdish Reddy | 10+ Years Sustainable Gardening Experience
Verification: Cross-referenced with USDA Climate Data & University Research
Status: Verified for current US regional growing conditions
Last Updated: April, 2026

Planting timing in Pennsylvania varies by USDA zones, frost dates, and local climate differences. The best planting time for Pennsylvania shifts dramatically from the snow-laden ridges of the Poconos (Zone 5a) to the urban warmth of Philadelphia (Zone 8a).

This month-by-month calendar provides structured planting timing. Not sure of your zone? Just check the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map—enter your ZIP, and you’ll instantly know your frost window.

This Pennsylvania planting calendar is compiled using USDA zone data, frost records, and Penn State Extension planting guidance: planting risks vary depending on regional climate and seasonal frost patterns. When to plant vegetables in Pennsylvania depends less on the date and more on your soil temperature, last frost risk, and local microclimate.

Whether you need a PA planting schedule, want to know what to plant now in Pennsylvania, or are planning your full Pennsylvania vegetable planting schedule, this guide gives you zone-specific, month-by-month advice—backed by Penn State Extension and real backyard growers. Helping gardeners plan seasonal planting timing by zone.

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 5a

Zone 5a (e.g., parts of Potter, McKean, and Wayne Counties) has a short growing season—the last frost is often in mid-to-late May. Ideal for cold-hardy crops and careful warm-season planning.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Plan garden; start slow brassicas indoors	—	Indoor parsley	Review native seed catalogs	Microgreens
Feb	Leeks, onions, cabbage indoors	—	Chives	Red maple seed stratification	Indoor lettuce
Mar	Peas, spinach, radish (late Mar)	Pansy plugs (cold frame)	Cilantro	Serviceberry	Kale, scallions
Apr	Lettuce, carrots, potatoes	Dianthus	Dill	Dogwood	Mixed spring greens
May	Tomatoes, beans (after May 15–20)	Marigolds	Basil	Butterfly weed	Early tomatoes
Jun	Corn, zucchini, beets	Zinnias	Oregano	Milkweed	Bush beans
Jul	Cucumbers, okra	Sunflowers	Lemon balm	Joe-Pye weed	Cherry tomatoes
Aug	Fall broccoli, carrots (start indoors)	Cosmos	Sage	Asters	—
Sep	Transplant kale, collards	Mums	Chives	Goldenrod	Cold-hardy greens
Oct	Garlic (late Oct)	—	Parsley (mulched)	Native shrub planting	Overwintering herbs
Nov	Cover crops (rye, vetch)	—	Mulch perennial herbs	Leave seed heads for birds	Insulate pots
Dec	Seed inventory; plan crop rotation	—	Indoor rosemary/thyme	Dormant habitat cleanup	Microgreens

Garden Planner Tool

Plan your garden layout using this interactive planner. Enter your garden size to calculate plant spacing and planting timing based on this planting calendar.

This planner helps turn the planting calendar above into a practical garden layout based on your available space.

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Zone 6a (e.g., State College, northern Lehigh Valley) offers a May–October growing window—great for both spring greens and summer staples like tomatoes and peppers.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Start tomatoes and peppers indoors	—	Indoor basil	Black-eyed Susan seeds	Lettuce pots
Feb	Broccoli, cabbage, onions	—	Parsley, chives	Redbud prep	Microgreens
Mar	Peas, spinach, lettuce	Pansies	Cilantro	Dogwood	Spinach, radish
Apr	Potatoes, carrots, beets	Dianthus	Dill	Serviceberry	Early greens
May	Tomatoes, peppers, beans (after May 10)	Marigold	Mint	Butterfly weed	Tomatoes, basil
Jun	Corn, cucumbers, squash	Zinnias	Basil	Milkweed	Peppers, beans
Jul	Beans, okra, zucchini	Sunflowers	Oregano	Joe-Pye weed	Cherry tomatoes
Aug	Fall broccoli, carrots (transplant)	Alyssum	Rosemary	Asters	Lettuce (shade cloth)
Sep	Kale, beets, radish	Mums	Sage	Blazing star	Spinach
Oct	Garlic (mid–late Oct)	Violas	Chives	Native shrub planting	Winter greens
Nov	Cover crops; compost	—	Mulch herbs	Wildlife habitat prep	Insulated containers
Dec	Seed ordering; indoor herbs	—	Indoor thyme	Dormant native care	Microgreens

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 6b

Zone 6b (e.g., Harrisburg, York, and Scranton suburbs) warms earlier—supporting earlier tomatoes and solid fall harvests.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Tomatoes and peppers indoors	—	Indoor basil, parsley	Blueberries (dormant)	Microgreens
Feb	Peas, onions, spinach	Pansies	Cilantro	Redbud	Radish, kale
Mar	Lettuce, carrots, beets	Dianthus	Dill	Dogwood	Mixed greens
Apr	Tomatoes (late Apr), potatoes	Marigold	Mint	Serviceberry	Early beans
May	Peppers, corn, cucumbers	Zinnias	Oregano	Milkweed	Tomatoes, basil
Jun	Squash, melons, beans	Sunflower	Lemon balm	Butterfly bush	Cucumbers
Jul	Okra, pumpkins, zucchini	Cosmos	Rosemary	Joe-Pye weed	Eggplant
Aug	Broccoli, carrots, beets	Alyssum	Sage	Blazing star	Lettuce
Sep	Kale, radish, collards	Mums	Chives	Asters	Spinach
Oct	Garlic (early–mid Oct)	Violas	Parsley	Native shrubs	Winter greens
Nov	Onion sets; cover crops	—	Mulch herbs	Fruit tree prep	Indoor herbs
Dec	Start brassicas indoors	—	Indoor thyme	Mulch pollinator beds	Microgreens

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 7a

Zone 7a (e.g., Lancaster, Bucks County, and Pittsburgh suburbs) has a long frost-free season—ideal for heat-lovers like okra and sweet potatoes.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Indoor tomatoes, peppers	—	Indoor basil	Blueberries	Indoor kale
Feb	Peas, carrots, spinach, onions	Pansies	Cilantro	Red maple	Spinach
Mar	Cabbage, lettuce, beets, potatoes	Dianthus	Dill	Dogwood	Mixed greens
Apr	Tomatoes, potatoes, beans	Marigold	Mint	Serviceberry	Beans, early tomatoes
May	Peppers, corn, cucumbers	Zinnias	Oregano	Milkweed	Peppers, basil
Jun	Squash, melons, okra	Sunflower	Basil	Butterfly weed	Cucumbers
Jul	Pumpkins, sweet potatoes	Cosmos	Lemon balm	Joe-Pye weed	Eggplant, okra
Aug	Broccoli, carrots, beets	Alyssum	Rosemary	Blazing star	Lettuce (shade)
Sep	Kale, radish, collards	Mums	Sage	Asters	Spinach
Oct	Garlic	Violas	Chives	Native shrubs	Winter greens
Nov	Onion sets	—	Parsley	Fruit trees	Indoor herbs
Dec	Indoor brassicas	—	Indoor herbs	Mulch wildlife beds	Microgreens

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 7b

Zone 7b (e.g., parts of Philadelphia suburbs, Delaware County) benefits from milder winters—great for double crops of greens.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Peppers & tomatoes indoors	—	Indoor basil, thyme	Blueberries	Indoor greens
Feb	Peas, onions, spinach, carrots	Pansies	Cilantro	Redbud	Radish, kale
Mar	Lettuce, beets, potatoes, broccoli	Dianthus	Dill	Dogwood	Mixed greens
Apr	Tomatoes, potatoes, beans	Marigold	Mint	Serviceberry	Beans, early tomatoes
May	Peppers, corn, cucumbers, okra	Zinnias	Oregano	Milkweed	Tomatoes, basil
Jun	Squash, melons, sweet potatoes	Sunflower	Lemon balm	Butterfly bush	Cucumbers, eggplant
Jul	Pumpkins, okra, beans	Cosmos	Rosemary	Joe-Pye weed	Okra, cherry tomatoes
Aug	Broccoli, carrots, beets	Alyssum	Sage	Blazing star	Lettuce
Sep	Kale, radish, collards	Mums	Chives	Asters	Spinach
Oct	Garlic	Violas	Parsley	Native shrubs	Winter greens
Nov	Onion sets	—	Mulched herbs	Fruit tree planting	Indoor herbs
Dec	Start greens indoors	—	Indoor thyme, parsley	Mulch pollinator gardens	Microgreens

Pennsylvania Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Zone 8a (e.g., urban Philadelphia, Chester) has a nearly 8-month frost-free window—supporting southern crops like okra and sweet potatoes with confidence.

Month	Vegetables	Flowers	Herbs	Native Plants/Wildlife	Containers
Jan	Tomatoes, peppers, okra indoors	—	Indoor basil	Southern magnolia	Indoor greens
Feb	Peas, spinach, carrots, onions	Pansies	Cilantro	Redbud	Radish, kale
Mar	Lettuce, beets, potatoes, broccoli	Dianthus	Dill	Dogwood	Mixed greens
Apr	Tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	Marigold	Mint	Serviceberry	Tomatoes, peppers
May	Corn, cucumbers, okra, sweet potatoes	Zinnias	Oregano	Milkweed	Cucumbers, eggplant
Jun	Melons, pumpkins, beans	Sunflower	Basil	Butterfly bush	Okra, sweet potatoes
Jul	Sweet potatoes, okra, southern peas	Cosmos	Lemon balm	Joe-Pye weed	Heat-tolerant greens
Aug	Fall broccoli, carrots, collards	Alyssum	Rosemary	Blazing star	Beans, cherry tomatoes
Sep	Kale, radish, turnips, spinach	Mums	Sage	Asters	Spinach, tatsoi
Oct	Garlic, shallots	Violas	Chives	Native shrubs	Winter greens
Nov	Onion sets; cover crops	—	Parsley (mulched)	Fruit trees	Indoor herbs
Dec	Indoor brassicas; seed planning	—	Indoor herbs	Mulch wildlife beds	Microgreens

Frost & Soil Temperature Chart for Pennsylvania

Frost dates are estimates—but your soil temperature is real-time truth. Cool crops like carrots wait for 45°F; warm ones like melons won’t budge until it’s 60°F+.

Zone	Last Spring Frost	First Fall Frost	Ideal Temp: Warm-Season Vegetables	Ideal Temp: Cool-Season Vegetables
5a	Mid–Late May	Late Sept	60–70°F	45–60°F
6a	Late April–Early May	Early–Mid Oct	60–70°F	45–60°F
6b	Mid–Late April	Mid–Late Oct	60–70°F	45–60°F
7a	Early–Mid April	Late Oct	60–70°F	45–60°F
7b	Late March–Early April	Early–Mid Nov	60–70°F	45–60°F
8a	Mid–Late March	Mid–Late Nov	60–75°F	45–60°F

What to Plant Each Month in Pennsylvania—Quick Guide

Too busy to cross-reference zones? No matter where you are in Pennsylvania, this cheat sheet gives you precise guidance on what to plant this month.

Month	Plant These
January	Indoor tomatoes/peppers (Zones 6–8); microgreens; seed planning
February	Peas, spinach, onions, carrots (Zones 6–8); indoor brassicas
March	Lettuce, beets, potatoes, broccoli; cold frames active
April	Tomatoes (Zones 6b–8a), beans, cucumbers, potatoes
May	Corn, squash, melons, okra, sweet potatoes (after last frost)
June	Pumpkins, beans, cucumbers, melons, okra
July	Sweet potatoes, okra, southern peas; start fall brassicas
August	Broccoli, carrots, beets, kale, collards
September	Kale, turnip, radish, spinach, leafy greens
October	Garlic, shallots, spinach (when soil <60°F)
November	Onion sets, cover crops, winter greens (protected)
December	Indoor herbs, microgreens, early spring brassicas

Pennsylvania Cool-Season vs Warm-Season Crop Calendar

Month	Cool-season Crops	Warm-season Crops
January	Indoor greens (Zones 7–8)	Start tomatoes/peppers indoors (Zones 6–8)
February	Peas, cabbage, spinach	Indoor warm crops (Zones 6–8)
March	Lettuce, broccoli, beets	Start indoors (Zones 5–8); transplant in 7b–8a late Mar
April	Spinach, kale, radish	Tomatoes/peppers outdoors in Zones 7a–8a
May	Lettuce (shade), carrots	Corn, squash, melons, okra
June	— (most bolts)	Cucumbers, beans, pumpkins, okra
July	Start fall broccoli/cabbage	Okra, sweet potatoes, heat-tolerant tomatoes
August	Broccoli, kale, carrots	Final beans/squash (Zones 7–8)
September	Kale, spinach, radish	— (except late tomatoes in Zone 8)
October	Lettuce, spinach, garlic	—
November	Onions, winter greens (under cover)	—
December	Indoor greens & herbs	—

Quick Seasonal Takeaway Chart

Season	Best Crop Type
Late Winter–Early Spring	Cool-season
Late Spring–Summer	Warm-season
Late Summer–Fall	Cool-season
Winter	Indoor or hardy cool-season only

Pennsylvania Calendar for Seed Starting vs Direct Sowing

Crops	Best Method
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra	Start indoors → transplant
Cabbage family (broccoli, kale, collards)	Indoors or transplants
Corn, beans, peas, carrots, radish	Direct sow
Squash, melons, cucumbers	Direct sow
Lettuce, spinach, beets	Direct sow
Herbs	Mixed (basil indoors; cilantro/dill direct)

Pennsylvania Pest & Disease Timing Calendar

Pests don’t read calendars—but they do follow the weather. Hornworms show up right when your tomatoes flower; powdery mildew creeps in during humid July nights. Knowing when trouble arrives lets you act early—before you’re spraying or pulling plants.

Month	Pest/Disease	Prevention
March–April	Aphids, flea beetles	Row covers; insecticidal soap
April–June	Cabbage worms	BT spray; floating row covers
May–July	Tomato hornworm, stink bugs	Daily inspection; hand-pick
June–August	Squash vine borer, southern blight	Stem wraps; rotate crops
July–September	Powdery mildew, downy mildew	Drip irrigation; increase airflow
August–October	Late blight, nematodes	Avoid overhead water; solarize soil (Zone 8)
September–November	Slugs, harlequin bugs	Beer traps; clean debris

Pennsylvania Fruit Trees & Berries Calendar—Planting Schedule

Fruit trees aren’t like annual veggies—you’re planting for decades, not months. Get the timing right (dormant season = happy roots), and you’ll be picking peaches in Media or apples in Altoona for years. Miss the window, and you risk transplant shock or poor establishment.

Fruit Type	Best Planting Window
Apple, pear, cherry (cold-hardy)	March–April
Peach, plum (Zone 7b–8a)	Late Feb–March
Blueberries	March–April
Strawberries	Early spring or August
Raspberries/blackberries	March–April or Sept–Oct

Pennsylvania Perennial Vegetables Calendar

Crop	Planting Window
Asparagus	April–May
Rhubarb	March–April
Horseradish	March–April or Sept–Oct
Walking onions	Sept–November

Pennsylvania Pollinator Planting Calendar

A garden buzzing with bees and fluttering with butterflies isn’t just beautiful—it’s more productive. But pollinators need flowers all season, not just in June. This sequence ensures that there is always something blooming, starting with serviceberry in March and ending with goldenrod in October.

Season	Recommended Plants
Early Spring	Red maple, serviceberry, crocus, pansies
Late Spring	Milkweed, bee balm, wild columbine, coneflower
Summer	Zinnias, sunflowers, Joe-Pye weed, butterfly bush
Fall	Asters, goldenrod, sedum, mums
Winter	Hollies, native grasses, oak, winterberry

Cover Crops Calendar for Soil Health in Pennsylvania

Letting your garden sit bare over winter? That’s like leaving your fridge open—nutrients leak out, weeds move in, and soil life starves. A simple cover crop like winter rye or vetch protects and feeds your plot, so next spring’s tomatoes grow in living soil, not dust.

Cover Crop	Planting Window	Benefits
Winter rye	August–October	Prevents erosion; builds organic matter
Hairy vetch	August–September	Fixes nitrogen; great with rye
Crimson clover	August–Sept (Zones 6–8)	Nitrogen + pollinator support
Buckwheat	May–July	Fast cover; suppresses weeds
Austrian winter peas	Aug–Sept (Zones 7–8)	Nitrogen + winter green manure

Data sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Penn State Extension Vegetable Seed Planting Guide
Penn State Extension Frost Date and Growing Season Guide

Common Questions About Planting in Pennsylvania

For Additional Regional Guides

Check out our planting calendars for other states: