Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Chester, PA

Chester, PA is in USDA zones 7b to 8a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 16.

Chester on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones7b–8a5 to 15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 30

First frostNov 16

Growing season230 days

7b 1 ZIP 8a 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Chester, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Marcus Hook, PA, elevation 10 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Chester

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 16) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 19016 came on Mar 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

average
Mar 212026
Mar 19

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7b in Pennsylvania

625 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Pennsylvania, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Chester, PA.

Soil in Chester, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19016 is Glenelg — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Glenelg channery loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 19016; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chester, PA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,198base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation48.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Marcus Hook, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Villanova, PA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Chester

Pennsylvania planting zones →

Questions about Chester

What planting zone is Chester, PA?

Chester, PA is in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 8a on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F; 8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Chester, PA?

The median last spring frost is March 30 and the median first fall frost is November 16 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marcus Hook station).

When can I plant a garden in Chester, PA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 16 – Mar 9; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 6, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Chester, PA?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Chester, PA get?

About 48.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).