Frost Dates for Philadelphia, PA 19108
Philadelphia has 50 ZIP codes. The Philadelphia, PA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost October 28 · 200 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 19108 has about 154 people, one of 50 ZIP codes in Philadelphia.
Long season: 200 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 24 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 13 (30 days).
Frost probability for 19108
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 24 | April 11 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 28 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GLASSBORO 2 NE (25.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 200-day season in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia (200 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 21. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 263 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 14. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 14. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 305 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 256 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 18. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 4. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 14. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 18. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 200 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 18. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 25. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 179 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 18. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 25. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 11. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in Philadelphia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 17), Lavender (Jan 17), Onion (Jan 17), Rosemary (Jan 17), Celery (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 14), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 14), Cabbage (Feb 14), Lettuce (Feb 14), Sage (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 14), Beets (Feb 14), Dill (Feb 14), Peas (Feb 14), Radish (Feb 14), Spinach (Feb 14), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 7), Tomato (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Corn (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 14), Nasturtiums (Mar 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 14), Turnip (Mar 14), Carrots (Mar 21), Potatoes (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 7). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 11), Beans (Apr 18), Pole Beans (Apr 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 11), Lavender (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Mint (Apr 11), +24 more. Last frost around April 11. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 2). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 15), Pumpkin (Jun 15), Cantaloupe (Jun 23), Celery (Jun 23), Melons (Jun 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 25), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 3), Tomatillos (Jul 3), Eggplant (Jul 8), Corn (Jul 10), Sunflowers (Jul 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 27), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 1), Cosmos (Aug 1), Cucumber (Aug 1), Zinnias (Aug 1), Broccoli (Aug 2), Nasturtiums (Aug 6), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 1), Cilantro (Sep 1), Collards (Sep 5), Scallions (Sep 5), Bok Choy (Sep 6), Lettuce (Sep 6), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 28). First frost around October 28. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 18). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Philadelphia, PA (ZIP 19108)?
The median last spring frost date for Philadelphia, PA (ZIP code 19108) is around April 11. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 29; one in ten it runs past April 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Philadelphia, PA?
The median first fall frost date for Philadelphia, PA is around October 28. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia, PA?
The frost-free growing season in Philadelphia is about 200 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Philadelphia (200 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Philadelphia, PA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Philadelphia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Philadelphia?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in Philadelphia?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Philadelphia?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 28 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bala Cynwyd (ZIP 19004) has 212 frost-free days, 12 more than Philadelphia (ZIP 19108). See Bala Cynwyd ZIP 19004 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Philadelphia, PA 19103 (0.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Camden, NJ 08103 (3.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Camden, NJ 08105 (3.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (5.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Philadelphia, PA 19124 (5.3 mi)
- When to plant in Philadelphia, PA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in PA
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- When to plant Cucumbers in PA
- When to plant Zucchini in PA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in PA
- When to plant Basil in PA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in PA
- Look up another ZIP