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

Planting zone for Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA is in USDA zones 6b to 7a across its 72 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 27.

Pittsburgh on the zone map

Outlined: its 42 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.

Zones6b–7a−5 to 5 °F

ZIP codes72

Last frostApr 24

First frostOct 27

Growing season186 days

6b 46 ZIPs 7a 26 ZIPs

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 Pittsburgh, PA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Emsworth L/D Ohio Rvr, PA, elevation 719 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 Pittsburgh

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 15282 came on Mar 10 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

average
Mar 262026
Mar 10

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 6b in Pennsylvania

605 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 6b. 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 Pittsburgh, PA.

Soil in Pittsburgh, PA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 15282 is Culleoka — channery silt loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Culleoka complex, gently sloping.

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 15282; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pittsburgh, PA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,286base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.3 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: Pittsburgh Allegheny Co. Airport, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Pittsburgh Allegheny Co. Airport, PA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Planting zone for Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh on the zone map

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

Frost dates in Pittsburgh, PA

When to plant vegetables in Pittsburgh

When spring arrived in 2026

Native plants for zone 6b in Pennsylvania

Trees 76

Shrubs 122

Wildflowers & perennials 209

Grasses 173

Vines 10

Soil in Pittsburgh, PA

Climate in Pittsburgh, PA

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

ZIP codes in Pittsburgh

Questions about Pittsburgh